McNeese State University

Department of Education Professions

Lesson Plan Template
Course: EDTC245 Semester: Fall 2018
Name: Andrea Burton Email: aburton@mcneese.edu
Primary Subject Area: Health Grade Level: 9th
Title Of Lesson: Test Taking Skills Approximate Duration: 1 class period
Overview of Lesson (Danielson, 1c)
In this lesson students will explore various ways to improve test performance, inclusing stress
reduction and enhanced study skills.
Prior Knowledge Expected of Students
Awareness of stress and its effects on the human body
Louisiana Student Standards (LSS)
Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in schools and
across the life span
Competency 1. Improve Academic Self-Concept
Indicator a. Articulate feelings of competence and confidence as learners
Indicator b. Display a positive interest in learning
Educational Technology Standard

Additional Standards

Interdisciplinary Connections + Standards

ELA – discussion of acrostic poetry
Student Outcomes (Danielson, 1c)
Students will acquire skills to improve their test-taking abilities thus leading to better grades.
Lesson Procedures
Time Step By Step Lesson Procedures Pre-planned Seed
Questions

•Introduction to the subject (see Instructor Notes, Section I).

•Administer pre-test (see Evaluation Tool below).
Activity 1: In pairs, ask the students to brainstorm three things that they think they
should do to be ready for a test. Give the students 3-5 minutes to complete their
lists. On poster paper, list the suggestions that come from each group. Comment on
the complied list. Add the following “tips” to your poster list if they were not
mentioned by the students:
•Prepare well before the day of the test.
•Keep up with your daily work.
•Avoid cramming the night before.
•Get a good night’s sleep.
•Eat breakfast.
•Stop studying an hour or so before the test to take time to relax and compose
yourself.
•Think positively about the test.
•Now that the students have a plan on how to be prepared for a test, explain that
the next step is to think of ways to stay calm and feel confident while taking a test.
Activity 2: In pairs, ask the students to brainstorm three things that they think would
help them remain calm and stay focused while taking a test. Give the students 3-5
minutes to complete their lists. On poster paper, list the suggestions that come from
 each group. Comment on the complied list.
•Pass out the handout on DETER Tips for Taking Tests; review each tip and make
comments (see Instructor Notes, Section II).
•Review ways students can be ready for a test and ways students can keep calm and
stay focused during a test.
•Administer post-test (see Evaluation Tool below).
•Closing statements (see Instructor Notes, Section III).
Teacher Materials Student Materials Technology Resources References
Handout: “DETER” Tips for Poster board and markers calcareercenter.org/
Taking Tests Uploads/Links/
Instructor Notes Hstestskillslesson
plan16.doc
Relevance / Rationale

Exploration / Extension / Supplemental

Students will create an additional poster using a 3-5 letter work that can also be used to enhance test-taker success.
Assessment Criteria For Success
Compare students’ scores on tests before the activity with test scores after the activity (short-term data).
Differentiation (Danielson, 1c, 3e )

Post Lesson Reflection