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LOLs help with SOLs: Kids dance, sing away SOL test stress

McCleary Elementary held a rally to build confidence and enthusiasm for the SOLs.

JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times

Fifth grader Chris Lafon, 10, busts a move on stage during a pre-SOL rally at McCleary Elementary School in New Castle on Friday.

JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times

Third, fourth and fifth grade students break out their dance moves during a pre-SOL rally at McCleary Elementary School in New Castle on Friday.

JOEL HAWKSLEY | The Roanoke Times

Third grader Camryn Boardwine holds a bracelet given to McCleary Elementary students at a pre-SOL assembly on Friday.

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Encouraging test success

Plenty of sleep?

Check.

Healthy breakfast?

Check.

Roanoke-area educators said both are valuable for students during test time, but it's most important to remember encouragement.

"I would say the No. 1 thing is just encourage their children to do their best on the test," said Mike Littleton, Stonewall Jackson Middle School assistant principal, adding a good sleep and breakfast never hurt. "Encourage kids. No matter how hard it is, we want you do your best."

Like McCleary Elementary School, Jackson also held a celebration in the days leading up to Standards of Learning testing. Littleton said the school held a spirit week where they dressed up differently each day and an SOL game day with cotton candy and popcorn.

"We want our kids relaxed and ready to go," he said. "It's kind of motivational thing."

But that encouragement shouldn't stop at school.

"What's really important is that we do all work together as a team in this," said Shelly Dix, a fourth-grade teacher at Glenvar Elementary School. "They need to be motivators at home as well. They are reminding their students to do their best and that they are really proud of everything they've done this year."

Dix, who was among those to organize Glenvar's spirit week where students and staff also had an SOL pep rally, said a little motivation can go a long way.

"I feel like everyone, family members, not just parents, need to join in," she said. "If they know kids are testing, give them a nice call, tell them good luck."

- Annie McCallum

Annie McCallum | 981-3227

Monday, May 6, 2013

Dance party or testing prep?

It was both at McCleary Elementary School on Friday.

In the school's auditorium, the music was loud, students danced in the aisles and sang at the top of their lungs. Some were even pulled on stage where they busted moves with the Hokie Bird and others.

The mood was light, but the message was more serious.

The Craig County school was holding a Standards of Learning celebration to motivate and encourage students about the upcoming state standardized tests, which measure student achievement. The stakes are high: Funding and accreditation can hinge on the results, and that's not lost on students and staff.

But last week in the days leading up to testing's start, area schools, including McCleary, focused on some fun for students to build their confidence, applaud their work and rally.

Testing for many students in the region begins today.

"Who's ready to take an SOL test?" Principal Gennifer Miller shouted Friday to an auditorium full of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders .

"Meeee!" the group screeched back at a deafening volume.

"I believe in each of you," Miller told students. "I need you to believe in yourself."

Miller, who was one of several speakers at the celebration, said the biggest thing for her is to emphasize to students that she knows they can do it. She said building confidence is vital to their performance on the tests and that's what Friday's celebration was all about .

Cramming isn't the way for students to be successful on the tests, she said . They prepare all year, so the celebration "let the pressure off a little bit" before getting down to business this week.

Fifth-grader Chris Lafon, 10, was among those to sport dance moves on stage Friday.

"SOLs, they are just big tests," Lafon explained after the celebration. "They are hard to accomplish."

He said the celebration creates excitement. He said without it students might think: "I'm ready for SOLs. So what?"

So is Chris ready?

"Oh, yeah," he said. "It's like me taking a baseball bat and hitting a home run."

Ten-year-old Hunter Jones, also a fifth-grader, felt confident, too.

"I feel kind of stressed, but excited because I know I'm going to do well," he said.

The young Virginia Tech fan said he really liked the music during the celebration and was surprised to see the Hokie Bird. He said the celebration is important.

"Cause like we'll feel excited instead of like bored about them," he said of the tests.

Fifth-grader Abby Spence, 11, said Friday's fun helped.

Confessing she was a little nervous about the math tests, she said she was encouraged by the celebration.

"It really gets you pumped up," she said.

Saturday, September 14, 2013