Top Test Prep Tips

Hello everyone and welcome back to A Spoonful of Teaching! I hope everyone is staying healthy and for my teachers out there, keep disinfecting your rooms of course (like that's any different from every other day of the year 😂)! Today we are talking about test prep tips. Most state testing for upper elementary is quickly approaching-- let's set ourselves and students up for success!

Tip #1 - prepare yourself

Educate yourself on the standardized test you are giving. While this is not the most fun or exciting way to prepare, it's probably the most beneficial. I mean, they provide a "handbook" for a reason! Knowing the protocol of what you, as well as your students, can and can't do will ease some anxiety about giving the test. Be sure to read the script, too! I always think it's so silly that teachers must read a ridiculously bland and monotonous script. But if you read the script beforehand, it might not be as awkward when you read it the first time? (note: it's still awkward)

Tip #2 - review, review, review!

Obviously the best way to prepare your students is to review the topics they've already mastered. Of course, I like to make reviewing "old" concepts as much fun as possible! The best way to do this, in my opinion, is through games! I like to find or create games that do not require teacher supervision so I can include them in a "rotation" or "math station." Choosing games that provide simple instructions will not only save you a headache from explaining it to young kids, but also allows the game to begin quicker. The quicker they start their game, the more review takes place! One of my go-to games for reviewing a concept is Multi-digit Multiplication Tic-Tac-Toe. Not only is the game super simple, but my students beg to play it. I saw a multi-digit addition tic-tac-toe, so I decided to make a multiplication version that includes a couple different "boards." Find it under the "Freebies" tab! (Note: it doesn't have directions because I let students decide for themselves)

Even though students have already mastered this concept, they constantly beg to play the game!

Another game I absolutely love playing is Jeopardy! This is another student favorite because: (a) I allow them to play in small teams or pairs and (b) I provide prizes. Not only do the students love this game, but I do too. However, I enjoy playing Jeopardy because it's a game platform that's fun and allows the teacher to review possibly challenging questions as a whole group. When I play with my fourth graders, we reveal the correct answer and discuss all the possible ways we could reach that answer. I forgot to mention that I create content-specific Jeopardy games online! Check out my favorite online Jeopardy creator at https://jeopardylabs.com/ 

While there are so many fun ways to review previously-taught concepts with students (e.g. Escape Rooms, projects, online resources), sometimes you just need to do some old-fashioned review. In my classroom every day, students complete a Problem of the Day. I bought a resource on TPT that included a variety of problems similar to questions on standardized tests. Every day, I give students 2-3 minutes to answer these higher-order thinking problems in their math notebooks. Then, we go over it as a class. We talk about ways to get to the answer because there might be multiple! 

Tip #3 - prepare students 

I don't mean academically, I mean physically. As a student (elementary and adult), I dealt with test anxiety. Provide students with testing "tips" to prevent or ease test anxiety. Before my students take the standardized test, I go through a practice test with them. This lets students get familiar with what the test will look like, the types of questions that will be asked, and how to use the tools provided. We cover tips about what to do if you don't know the answer to a question, you are running out of time, and other test scenarios that may cause stress. 

Another thing we practice and review is testing expectations. My kids and I discuss being aware of their noise level when in the hallways, restrooms, and even the lunch room. We even practice completely silent hallway transitions a week prior to the actual test. I stress to students how serious it is to stay quiet, or as my school calls it, a “level zero.” We want all students to succeed so we must give them a fair chance by keeping the learning environment quiet. I even go over the expectations of small details with my students, such as what to do when you finish your test. I advise all students to keep at least two books at their testing spot just in case they finish their test before time runs out. An additional silly detail we discuss is how to ask for a tissue during testing (sounds crazy, but students are not to get out of their seat during the testing session, except to use the restroom). The more details and practice you provide for students, the more at ease they will be with the testing process. 

Tip #4 - bring the hype

While standardized testing is helpful, it’s not everything. Let’s not freak students out. Instead, let’s bring some fun to a typically stressful time! Something I did to hype students up for testing was decorate my room. Technically, I needed to cover up some academic posters in my room, but I didn’t want to do it with plain paper (#boring). So, I printed off some inspirational testing coloring pages and had students color tons of them! It was a practical way to cover up our posters while giving students a boost of confidence during the test. Think about it, if they refer to that poster during class time they will probably refer to it during a test out of habit. When they do, they get a positive testing message! Students love that they are involved in “decorating” the room for testing.

Something I want to implement this year with my math students is to come up with a chant. You know how sports players huddle up before a game, say a little inspirational speech, then end with an adrenaline-pumping chant? That’s what I want to do with my kiddos this year before they test! I’ll keep you posted on this one… If any teacher friends out there have done this, I would love to hear some chants you’ve come up with!

Another popular idea to “bring the hype” to testing is when teachers wear matching shirts. I know some of you might be rolling your eyes, but kids find it humorous if teachers are wearing matching outfits (maybe it’s just my students?)! I’ve also seen schools wear a certain color each day of the week to bring unity to the school. Again, we’re on a testing team! 

Speaking of being on a “testing team,” not all grade levels participate in standardized testing. Usually, not sure how it is in other states, students in younger grade levels do not take standardized tests. I’ve not experienced this (yet), but I have seen schools have the younger kids draw a picture or write an encouraging note to students in upper grade levels as a pick-me-up before test-taking. This is something I would LOVE to do with my school this year. I love building unity within a school and this is an amazing way to practice that!

Out of all the fun ways out there to bring hype and excitement to testing time, my favorite is something my school does-- testing breakfast! My school organizes an awesome, plentiful breakfast for all students to enjoy as we kick off testing week. When students enter the cafeteria, they are greeted by loud music, energetic teachers, and a healthy and filling breakfast. The looks on their faces are so cute! They can’t believe how hyped the cafeteria gets for kick-off breakfast. My favorite part is when we yell fun chants to hype up all the students! It puts everyone in good spirits before a long and tiring week. 

The one thing I do every single day before, during, and even after testing is telling students “do your best.” We talk about what the definition of what the phrase means. While it may be a very simple phrase, it is a sincerely powerful one for young minds! By the end of testing, students are telling it to each other. It may be a somewhat stressful time for teachers and students, but I think it brings our classroom communities closer. 

Do your best and forget the rest

                                                                                                                                        - Tony Horton

Teacher friends, may your standardized testing week bring as little stress as possible. Remember, while you are stressed and nervous, most of your students are feeling the same exact things! Keep them in mind and give them an extra boost of confidence and love. If you have any fun or unique testing tips, please reach out to me and share! I enjoy trying new ideas in my classroom from the teaching community. Thanks to all my readers for supporting my blogs! I appreciate when anyone lets me know they read my blogs. It brings so much joy to my heart! See you next week on A Spoonful of Teaching!! (remember to stay healthy out there!)