Exam+Day

A list of some of the fun, crazy, helpful things that teachers on the AP listserv do with the kids on the day of the test (or before):


 * Give them Newton (Fig Newtons) and Leibniz cookies
 * As Leibniz cookies are difficult to come by, I usually buy donuts..the "washer method", cheaper and more accessible.
 * Magic Pencils...(just normal crazy colored pencils for a confidence booster)
 * Mints - to help clear the mind
 * Locker poster - [|LockerPoster.doc] - Mike Tamblyn,
 * I catch them just outside the testing room, and give each student a set of 4 spare AAA batteries, wrapped in a wrapper that says "DON'T PANIC!" on it.
 * I show up before the test begins and take a group picture of "AP Exam Test Takers". I post these pictures in my room and have a very nice collection.
 * I feed them all breakfast (bagels, donuts, and juice) at 6:30 am. I play motivational music during the breakfast and help to dispel and last minute jitters.
 * I also give them a small bag filled with a BIG roll of smarties, a few (chocolate) hugs and kisses, and a motivational (You can do it!) note.
 * I give each of my students a button that reads "I am a 5!"
 * I bring lots of snacks and a special pencil that I tell to make sure they use because it has all of the answers in it. I also have given them a picture of me with a speech bubble that says "You can do this. You are ready!" The proctor hangs it in the front of the room.
 * I invite students over for a pasta feed the weekend before the test. I make spaghetti and bread, the students bring desserts. At our school pasta feeds for sporting events are a big deal, so we do our own carb-loading
 * I write a one or two sentence individualized note to each kid and hand it to them on their way into the testing room.