Every year in Maryland, children in grades 3-8 are required to participate in the Maryland School Assessments (MSA’s) in early March. These achievement tests are standardized math and reading based assessments that show how well the students have learned those skills based on the state curriculum.
In preparation for the MSA’s, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith and his fiancé, Chanel Williams, who is a teacher, posted a video of them rapping a song they wrote called “Teach me how to study” (based off of the song “Teach me how to Dougie”). In their song, they give kids tips on how to be prepared for the assessments and reference the importance of studying hard, getting a good night’s rest and eating a good breakfast beforehand. They go on to tell them about managing their time wisely and filling everything out properly, but the overall message they want the kids to take away from it is: be prepared and do your best.
Torrey and Chanel created this video to help kids understand the importance of these assessments and what it takes to be successful. Being a popular public figure makes Torrey Smith a great role model in the Baltimore community, but you don’t need to be a professional football player to be a good role model. Anyone can come up with a goofy way to encourage kids.
Can you remember a time when you did something goofy to encourage your kids? Please share those stories with us in the comments section and check out Torrey and Chanel’s video here: “Teach me how to study”