Register
1100 Ebenezer Road . Rincon, GA 31326 P: 912.754.7757 . F: 912.754.4012

Administration

Welcome to Ebenezer Middle School......Home of the Screaming Eagles!

Holly S. Usher, Assistant Principal
 
 
Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
  
                                    Lou Holtz
 
Ways Busy Parents Can Help Children Succeed
on Standardized Tests
 
     Standardized tests are more common today than ever before.  And the stakes have never been higher.  These tests are used to measure student achievement and to tell schools which skills students need to improve.  And with information gathered from a standardized test, your child's school can design lessons to raise your child's academic performance.
     Results of standardized tests are used to evaluate a school's performance.  So, it's important to all involved for every child to do well on tests.
     You can boost your child's performance on standardized tests.  Look below to find tips in helping your child feel confident, well-prepared and ready to succeed on these important tests.
 
teacher
 
Attendance Makes a Difference
 
     Teachers can't teach students who aren't in school.  And there's strong evidence that regular school attendance can result in significant test-score gains.  So remember:
  • Make sure your child is in school every day.
  • If at all possible, don't schedule medical appointments during school hours.
  • Don't take your child out of school for a famiy trip or activity.
  • Don't allow your child to be tardy.  Have your child get ready the night before so he can get to school on time.
 
weightlifter
Good Health = Good Test Scores
 
     Getting ready for a big exam requires more than just studying.  Your child must be physically fit, too.  So don't forget the following as your child prepares for big exams:
  • Breakfast.  Get your child in the habit of taking time for a nutritious breakfast every day.  Even toast and a piece of fruit will provide body and brain energy.
  • Sleep.  Get your child into a regular sleep routine.  Then stick to it!  Most children need at least eight hours of sleep each night.
  • Exercise.  Encourage your child to exercise every day.  Exercise increases oxygen to the brain and helps with thinking and memory.

 

Read for Success

read

     A child who can read well is more likely to succeed in school and do well on standardized tests.  Here are some reading skills that are important for test success and ways you can help at home.
 
Comprehension
 
     Comprehension is more than just being able to recognize and pronounce words --- it's about making sense of what the words say.
     Standardized tests often measure comprehension by asking students to find the main idea.  To help your child find the main idea:
  • Use the newspaper.  Cut out a short article.  Then cut off the headline.  Ask your child to read the article and write a headline that summarizes the main idea.  Compare your child's headline to the newspaper's headline.
  • Use nonfiction.  Nonfiction writing is about real people, places, and things.  Many standardized tests use nonfiction text for reading comprehension.  So ask your librarian to help your child find interesting nonfiction books to read.  Then ask your child to tell you the main idea of a paragraph or chapter from a nonfiction book. (The school media center has many nonfiction books available.)

Reading Rate

     Reading rate is the speed at which a child reads.  Since most standardized tests are timed, it's important for your child to have a good reading rate.  Just remember, it doesn't help your child to read faster if your child doesn't also have good comprehension.  Here's how you can help:

  • Schedule reading time every day.  All EMS students are expected to read 20 minutes every day for homework.  Research shows that kids who read every day are more likely to read faster. 
  • Have your child read silently.  Sometimes a child reads slowly because she is whispering the words aloud.
Vocabulary
 
     The more words your child knows, the more likely he is to do well on standardized tests.  So help your child:
  • Learn a new word every day.  Find words in books your child is reading or ask the teacher for a list.  Each morning help your child write the new word on a file card.  Write the definition on the back.  At dinner have family members try using the word in a sentence.  At the end of the week, review all cards.
  • Have a "newspaper scavenger hunt."  Ask your child to underline new words in an article.  Then look them up together.

nervous

Overcome Test Anxiety
 
     Nobody likes to take tests.  And some kids get what's called "test anxiety."  They are so worried about taking the test that they can't show what they know.
     Telling your child "Just relax" won't work.  Instead, share these tips:
  • Don't cram.  A good night's sleep is more important than an extra hour of studying.  Studies show that last minue cramming doesn't work.
  • Read the directions --- carefully!
  • Look the test over quickly.  Before answering any questions, skim quickly through the test.  Figure out how much time to spend on each section.
  • Don't be afraid to skip a question.  Don't waste time worrying about a question you can't answer.  Instead, go on to questions you know.  If there's time, go back to the items you skipped.
  • Remember past tests where you did well.  You can do well again!