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SAM DEAN The Roanoke Times

Bethany Jones, 11, carries a flag representing her fifth-grade class at Roanoke Academy of Mathematics and Science's "opening ceremonies" on Friday.

Less than a week away from the Standards of Learning writing test, the attitude permeating the halls of Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science is simple -- let the games begin.

Opening ceremonies began Friday, as fifth-graders paraded into the cafetorium with flags representing their class, or "team," and Principal Toni Belton gave words of encouragement as they prepare for the upcoming test. With team names such as "The Geniuses," students cheered enthusiastically as Belton spoke.

"The games for the Olympic writing test are now officially open," she said.

Teachers chose to kick off SOL preparation with an Olympic-style ceremony after missing numerous days to winter weather, instructional coach Sharon Hicks said.

Two-hour after-school SOL practice sessions to make up for missed time began Monday, Hicks said, and the Olympic theme is intended to make the extra preparation more fun and motivational and less like work.

Fifth- and eighth-graders across Roanoke are spending an extra two hours at school from Monday through Thursday this week to help prepare for the SOL writing tests. The after-school sessions are voluntary for students but participation is strongly encouraged.

"We just wanted to find a way for them to get excited about it," Hicks said. "It's intended for them to learn how to enjoy writing, so we're not going to stand and lecture."

While taking away the "drudgery" of writing, Hicks said, the main goal is to put the students in a position to pass their exam.

Virginia writing SOLs are scheduled for Monday through Wednesday next week.

Roanoke Academy faculty teaches the four-square writing method, which emphasizes paragraph structure and staying on topic.

After taking preliminary writing and multiple choice tests Thursday and Friday, students will be awarded medals based on performance: a bronze medal for 80 percent to 89 percent, silver for 90 percent to 99 percent and a gold medal for a perfect score.

About 30 teachers of all grade levels will stay after school to help. Pauline Bonds, a fifth-grade teacher, said the extra help should go a long way when test time arrives.