How American Schools Cheer Students On Before State Exams
When Beijing’s ninth-grade students take the high school entrance exam, Dr. Wise is here first and foremost to cheer you on—go, go, go! Wishing everyone excellent results!
At the same time, let’s take a look at an article about how American schools encourage children before state exams.
Below is a notice from a school in the U.S. that a parent shared regarding their child’s upcoming standardized test…
While cleaning out my son’s backpack yesterday, I came across an interesting notice from the school.
Dear Parents:
Your child will be taking a state standardized test this month. This exam is lengthy and covers a wide range of content, making many children feel anxious and nervous.
To help the children relax before the exam, we have three main suggestions:
1、Ensure your child gets plenty of rest before the test;
2、Eat a good breakfast on the day of the exam;
3、Arrive at school on time.
In addition, in the week leading up to the test, we will have a special “Dress for Success” activity. Each day, students are to wear clothing with a specific meaning. We will use this method to cheer the children on!
Monday
星期一
Students wear pajamas and indoor slippers to school. This reminds children to get enough sleep before the test and to remember to stay relaxed during the exam.
Tuesday
星期二
Students wear fruit-colored clothing. This reminds children to eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of the exam.
Wednesday
星期三
Students can wear all black to school. When answering questions, they should remember to completely fill in the circles for multiple-choice answers. The color black serves as a reminder for this.
Thursday
星期四
Today, students can dress playfully by wearing their clothes inside out or backwards. This reminds them to go back and check their answers after finishing the questions.
Friday
星期五
Students can wear their favorite athletic wear. Just like preparing for a sports game, this athletic attire reminds children to strive for their best during the test.
After reading this notice, I was filled with emotions once again. As everyone knows, Maryland’s primary and secondary education ranks among the top in the United States. The schools in our district have repeatedly hosted officials from key schools in Chinese municipalities who came for observation and learning. Being in such an environment, both schools and parents face significant pressure. Notices like this arrive every few days.
I remember when I was in middle school, without reminders from parents or teachers, I initiated my own “Dress for Success” activity. For example, if I scored 100 on a test, I would pay special attention to what I wore that day. After that, whenever there was an exam, I would definitely wear that same outfit. Even at such a young age, the pressure was immense. Maintaining the top spot was truly challenging. However, this American school’s pre-exam dressing activity uses different clothing to convey different messages, reminding children of exam preparation tips while using fun to alleviate their inner tension—it’s quite creative.
While appreciating this school’s lovely way of cheering students on, let’s join together to encourage all exam-takers! Sleep well, eat well, arrive on time, and do your best!
