Middle School

TestEdge^® (Grades 6-8)

In the challenging middle school years, students grapple with the onset of puberty and the adjustment to new schools, multiple teachers and changing peer relations. Helping them overcome test anxiety and reduce stress can make an enormous difference in these critical years. TestEdge^® focuses on two of the key areas of test preparation. Stress Smarts, positive emotion-refocusing techniques that lower stress and test anxiety and increase focus and comprehension and Test Smarts, advanced test-taking skills and strategies for higher test scores to help students improve school participation and performance.

Students learn practical tools and strategies for overcoming test anxiety, discouragement and indifference, while boosting focus, motivation and clarity. Key to the programs effectiveness are three evidence-based HeartMath self-regulation tools which teach students to step back from situations to find new options and solutions; neutralize strong emotions, and adjust unhealthy attitudes and behaviors. Click to for the full description, or theoretical basis.

"Since our initial pilot, hundreds of our students havebenefited from TestEdge. Whether the students are in special education or regular classrooms, TestEdge provides a vital key to their test success." – Stephanie J. Carlson, M.Ed., Secondary Reading Curriculum Specialist, Minneapolis Public Schools

emWave^® Self-Regulation Education Technology

The emWave^® Desktop is an easy-to-use software program with a heart rhythm monitor. The system is based on learning to change the heart rhythm pattern, which reflects our emotional state, and create mental and emotional balance.

The emWave allows students to see how emotions and attitudes affect their heart-rhythm patterns in real time and confirms when they are able to shift their emotions into a more productive, resilient state.

Students learn to effectively manage their stress levels and negative emotions, leading to improved cognitive performance, learning ability, relationships and creativity. emWave has also become an important and fun part of classroom behavioral management and high-stakes test preparation.

The emWave includes several games that students play. Before advancing in the games, students must first learn to self-regulate and balance their emotional state. Click for the full description, theoretical basis, or information of site licenses.

"About 320 students are introduced to the emWave® Desktop as part of my cooperative learning and leadership program each year. We explore what emotion is and how emotions can help or hinder what we do. We get into what is coherence and how that helps the mind and body perform better, like with test-taking. They all get it. They even tell me to use it when I get upset." – Linda Gancitano, health teacher, Driftwood Middle Academy of Health and Wellness, Hollywood, Florida