Keeping the stress level low for children and keeping them in their regular routine is going to take on special importance for Richmond County parents as their students break out the number two pencils for end-of-grade testing next week.

Thursday morning, Monroe Avenue Elementary Academic Coach Joyce McRae worked with a group of third graders on weaknesses that turned up during their benchmark testing throughout the year in reading.

“What do we do first when we read the question?” McRae asked.

Each hand around the semi-circle table shot up.

“Underline the key words,” one of the boys in the group answered.

“And what else do we do before we read the question?” she asked, then called on a little girl.

“Always read the directions,” the girl answered.

“And why do we read the questions,” she asked? “So we know what they’re asking?” the children said.

McRae explained the final ramp-up for end-of-grade testing has been going on at Monroe Avenue since the end of March, and consists of breaking small groups out of classes to study the math and reading concepts they showed vulnerability on during the year.

That is especially true in the case of third graders, who’ve never taken a standardized test before. The groups also cover test skills like following directions and maintaining concentration.

“The children have been learning the concepts and strategies they’ll need to be successful on the tests all year, so it really is a culmination of their work over the year,” McRae said. “During the final ramp-up to the testing, we’ve taken versions of the tests online and worked with the children on what the test will look like, and what type of words may be used in the questions.”

She explained that a simple mental correlation like knowing that when a test asks what a story is “mainly about” is the same question as asking for its “main idea” can make the difference in a student’s score on end-of-grade testing.

“Really, it’s just a matter of breaking it down to make sure they understand what they’re being asked,” McRae said.

Patsy Knorr is a third grade teacher at Monroe Avenue, and she explained that success for young students can hinge on their comfort level taking the test.

“We want to have the students be aware that this is a serious test, but they also need to realize it’s not the end of the world if they don’t do well,” Knorr said. “We just want them to be comfortable, use the strategies they’ve learned all year and just think of this as another weekly test. Of course, it’s much larger, and we’ve been trying to prepare them for that by making their tests longer throughout the year.”

Sitting, concentrating and focusing for an extended period of time aren’t always strengths for elementary school students, though, and officials can only do so much to acclimate them to doing it.

Knorr said third graders also have the factor of the unknown to grapple with.

“They don’t really know what to expect,” she explained. “This is something they’ve heard about, but not something they’ve ever done before. We want them to take it seriously, but not to the point they make themselves physically sick worrying about and that does happen. We just want them to do their very best.”

Hamlet Middle School Principal Jim Butler said that test anxiety begins to become an even bigger factor as students progress through grades and begin to take more ownership over their education.

“As they get older, they become more and more aware of the importance of these tests,” Butler said. “We really try to get them to trust in their teachers, trust in the work they’ve done and the test anxiety doesn’t become such a big factor.”

At the same time remediation is going on to strengthen students who have shown weaknesses, though, Butler said his task as an administrator is to make sure new lessons are still being introduced for students who are up-to-speed.

“We haven’t stopped school and just started reviewing what we’ve already done, but during our additional time we’ve been working to correct problems some students have,” Butler said.

McRae explained there are some strategies parents can adopt at home to help their students shine when the lights are the brightest at the end of the year.

“First off, just try to keep the stress level as low as you can at home,” she said. “You can also help by making sure they get plenty of sleep and a good breakfast the day of the test. It sounds cliché, but it really does make a difference.”

McRae also said moral support is perhaps the best way a parent can help their children achieve success on their tests.

“You need to assure these kids that it’s not the end of the world no matter how they do on this test,” she said. “The sun will come up tomorrow no matter what happens, but for some of these kids, the stress they are under to perform is just unbelievable.”

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.