Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on March 12, 2015 5:09 pm Add to Favorites maTaTy Reps: 103 Testing Candy Ok if a student is not a good test taker like can't focus is it ok to allow that student to chew gum or suck on a piece of candy to help? Is that giving special attention to one student or should you give it to all the students in the class?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted March 12, 2015 5:28 pm RuReja Reps: 104 I offer peppermint to all of my students during testing. This removes any "special treatment" and does not require me giving candy to everyone at the same time. Votes: +26 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution HyseSa Reps: 100 Peppermints are great for all students. I've even heard it helps them concentrate more! If it's a standardized state test, I'd check with the rules first.   Posted on: March 12, 2015 6:41 pm WuGusa Reps: 100 Peppermints are a great idea because when I was in school and we took big test our teacher would give us peppermint and it did help focus me.   Posted on: September 29, 2015 12:45 am Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted March 13, 2015 1:33 am yQadyH Reps: 129 It's like this.... You are giving each child what they need to preform and succeed in your class. Some children will not need the candy, but your one student may need it. That is our job as teachers. We have to find out what our students need, and provide this for them in order to promote their learning. Votes: +6 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution meXyHy Reps: 158 This solution is useful.   Posted on: October 15, 2015 9:10 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted March 15, 2015 12:49 pm Katrina Hammonds Reps: 103 There has been some research done on effects of peppermint and cinnamon in stimulating the brain. Not that it makes students smarter, however, it enhanced their memory, mood, and alertness. I give peppermint and cinnamon mints to all of my students when they are testing, however, equal isn't always fair, so If I had to give it to one student and not another then I don't see a problem with that. Accommodations are given on a case by case basis. Each student may need a different accommodation to have a better chance in achieving success. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted March 12, 2015 7:01 pm eTypaX Reps: 104 I think it would be okay to give a student gum or candy to help them focus. You could give the rest of the students something like Smarties that won't last during the entire test but they still get something during the test. I always tell my kids when I give them Smarties that they are my smarties and show what they know on the test. Votes: +5 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution ezeDeZ Reps: 107 Another approach may be to invite students to bring in their own peppermints or candies for testing. This way you don't have to supply them all (still give to the one student if needed), but you are not singling any one student out.   Posted on: March 13, 2015 12:54 am Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted March 12, 2015 11:47 pm eQymyX Reps: 108 I had a similar problem like this with one of my students. The special education coordinator told me to never question the fairness of something that works for a child. Therefore, I would give the child candy if it helps him/her. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted March 14, 2015 10:19 pm Xunezu Reps: 107 I think you have to be careful. In the system where I work, we are prohibited from providing peppermints, gum, or any other type of candy during testing. What we do is offer a healthy, nutritious snack just prior to the test, and we do some brain-building/focus-building exercises. Anytime students cross the mid-line of their body, they are boosting focus and brain power. Try some exercises to get rid of the fidgeting, and hopefully students will be able to focus for a little bit longer. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted September 29, 2015 3:57 pm Tabitha Tirado Reps: 200 I would give peppermint candy to all of the students. I had a professor who did this for each test it was a great idea! Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted September 30, 2015 1:17 am eduruM Reps: 100 I think its a great idea to allow the students to do this. Maybe have some peppermints at your desk so that every student can have a single mint during the test. This helps said student who is having issues and also shows that you are not giving special attention to one student. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted October 1, 2015 8:02 pm neHaGy Reps: 200 I remember as a child that my teacher would give the class skittles. Apparently there was s study done that chewing skittles helped students stay focused during a test. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted October 4, 2015 11:41 pm puLaGu Reps: 100 Like others have stated I think it is important to give something out such as mints or life savers to all the students and they can decide if and when they want to eat them. It has been proven that students test better when eating gum/mints while taking a test. By giving everyone something it does not single that one child out and makes it fair for the rest of the students. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted February 25, 2018 3:33 pm Sieara Voegtle Reps: 202 Throughout schooling teachers or test proctors offered a mint or two during a test. I would allow all students the opportunity to a mint and this will eliminate any possible special treatment toward a particular student. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted February 20, 2019 2:38 am Faith Graham Reps: 210 I would make sure none of the students have allergies first and then I would give them peppermint candy. This is supposed to stimulate the brain. It also prevents gum being stuck anywhere. Letting every student have one will prevent favoritism. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted October 2, 2015 12:31 am neraXe Reps: 134 Although this student struggles with test taking there is no evidence that a piece of candy or gum will help them focus. Giving gum or candy to one student distracts not only that student but also other students in the class that see the reward as unfair. If you do give something out I would suggest giving each student in the class a mint to calm testing nerves. Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted October 2, 2015 8:46 pm PezaLe Reps: 203 I would give the students a snack without sugar such as goldfish or something besides sugar. Sugar can cause some students to not have possible reaction to the material being tested. Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted October 5, 2015 3:18 am Caitlyn Bogatin Reps: 100 I would start off giving the one student a peppermint or butterscotch and if other students notice, I would ask that that parents donate candies to suck on during tests because it helps them focus. I will monitor student progress to see if it becomes a distraction for some students and will give them candy at the end of the tests. Votes: +1 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 16 Posted October 3, 2017 11:17 pm yneLaH Reps: 202 I believe this kind of accommodation would be something needed on the IEP if it is done during state-mandated tests. Otherwise, I would offer each student a piece of candy during a test to make it fair and minimize attention or embarrassment being drawn to the student. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 17 Posted February 26, 2018 3:16 am LuSaNa Reps: 200 I've heard the a peppermint or mint gum helps and have done it in middle school Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 18 Posted July 8, 2018 7:19 pm Jean J Reps: 200 I would give one to each student. There's nothing wrong with having extra help and you won't exclude anyone. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.