The test. Students dread this phrase, whether it refers to chapter tests, finals, standardized achievement tests, Advanced Placement exams, the ACT and SAT, or other testing experiences. In De-Stress the Test, author Martha Kaufeldt details actionable steps you can take throughout the school year to alleviate student anxiety and create brain-friendly classrooms full of focus and learning.

Leverage brain-based learning to boost student self-efficacy and relieve the pressure and stress that accompany high-stakes testing:

• Understand the negative effects tests can have on students, teachers, and parents.
• Help students develop social-emotional learning skills and a growth mindset.
• Use formative assessments to accelerate learning and build students' confidence.
• Implement mindfulness strategies in the classroom to mitigate student stress and anxiety.
• Learn long- and short-term practical methods for ensuring students' mental, emotional, and physical readiness for tests.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Author
Introduction

Part 1: The Culprits--High-Stakes Tests and Stress
Chapter 1: High-Stakes Tests--Anxiety, Pressure, and Stress for Students, Teachers, and Parents
Chapter 2: The Biology of Stress

Part 2: Stress Prevention and Management Strategies
Chapter 3: Less Stress--Creating Body- and Brain-Friendly Classrooms and Testing Environments
Chapter 4: Student Agency, Self-Efficacy, and Mindsets--Developing Confidence and Perseverance
Chapter 5: Mindful Moments--Classroom Practices to Reduce Stress and Increase Attention and Focus

Part 3: Preparing Students for High-Stakes Tests
Chapter 6: Feedback to Feed Forward--Formative Assessments, Feedback, and Failures
Chapter 7: Academic Vocabulary--Learning the Language of Tests
Chapter 8: Test Prep--Navigating 21st Century Exams

Epilogue
References and Resources
Index