Pre-Test Jitters? Try a Pep Rally!

With the increased importance on high-stakes standardized tests in recent years, lots of teachers find themselves devoting more and more time to test preparation. You can teach students how to take the test, but what do you do for all those students who find test-taking a nerve-racking experience?

One unique solution that we’ve seen in action: Have a pre-test pep rally.

Two members of the Flocabulary crew (Blake and Vlad) had a chance to participate in an amazing pep rally this morning to kick off the ELA tests that start tomorrow in New York. At PS 40Q, an elementary school in Jamaica, Queens, students came into the newly decorated auditorium clapping to inspirational music (“Eye of the Tiger” and some R. Kelly among others).

The pep rally looked less like this:

And more like this:

The vibe in the auditorium was more gospel church than typical school. Teachers passed out various noise-makers and pom-poms, while the kids clapped, laughed, and danced in their seats. The older kids (6th graders) certainly didn’t participate as much, but the energy was enough to keep them respectful and seemingly happy. By including some classroom-safe hip-hop and R&B, the teachers created an environment that the students found relaxing and enjoyable. That’s cultural relevancy in action!

A pep rally can’t single-handedly raise scores, but the program at PS 40Q is working. Last year they saw an 18% improvement on their ELA scores! And PS 40Q isn’t the only school that has adopted the pep rally as a way to boost student confidence (and hopefully scores) while relieving stress right before a big test.  You can read the story of a Rhode Island school that has shown tremendous improvement, in part by keeping the students stress-free before a test.

Have you held a pre-test pep rally in your school? Share your stories with us.