Standardized testing bag

A Sweet Treat for Test-Taking

Standardized testing is stressful for everyone! Prepare these Test Prep Bags to help motivate and encourage your test-takers. Sugar cures everything!

Simply purchase treat bags or paper lunch sacks and select the candy to be used. I choose the camo pattern because my class is the Test Prep Troops. During our practice sessions, students say a special test prep chant, wear dog tags and use camo pencils.

A week before testing, I send home a donation letter asking parents to provide healthy snacks and treats. I include the candy I need for the Test Prep Bags so I don’t have to purchase myself.

The day before testing, I gather kids at the carpet and we read, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss.  We discuss the story’s message and I tell them how proud I am of their hard work and dedication. I remind them that they are prepared for the test and I believe in them whole-heartedly.  At dismissal, I pass out their Test Prep Bags and have them open at home.

Students absolutely love this inexpensive gift and you will love priceless encouragement and motivation it provides. Download our other standardized testing tips here.

Test prep bag exampleTest Prep RationsTest prep bag suppliesTest Prep Troops (2)

Standardized Testing Good Luck Hands

Standardized testing often causes anxiety and stress for students. I alleviate these worries and build students’ self-esteem with Standardized Testing Khamsas (Good Luck Hands), part of our Standardized Test Prep Unit.

Khamsa--OWL board

Good Luck Hands

The khamsa, which means five in Arabic, is a good luck symbol from Morocco, Africa. Often made with precious metal like silver and gold, these ornate and colorful hands are used to bring luck and blessings into people’s lives.  Students feel so special making these good luck hands; these are always a top keepsake for the year.

To make in the classroom, simply have students trace their hands on aluminum foil and glue onto brightly colored construction paper. Students can add detail with Sharpies and glue on jewels, buttons, eyes and sequins. Display these on bulletin board for a beautiful reminder for students to believe in themselves during testing time.

Khamsa--cutting

Khamsa--cutting 2

Khamsa--materials

Khamsa--decorating

Khamsa--definition

 

5 Secrets to Successful Test Prep

Just the mention of standardized testing causes major anxiety for both students and teachers.  These 5 secrets of successful test prep, along with our complete Standardized Test Prep Unit, will alleviate angst, strengthen skills, promote self-awareness and build confidence.

Create an engaging test prep theme. After spring break, my class is transformed into Test Prep Troops. I decorate the classroom with camouflage flair including a special sign on door and camouflage test prep bulletin board that displays learned test taking strategies.  We learn a Test Prep Chant (to the tune of traditional military cadence) that we perform before each practice session. Students also use special camo pencils and wear personalized dog tags during testing. These inexpensive camouflage items can be found at your local party store.

Test Prep Troops

Test prep door

 

Test prep camo

Dog tags

Teach specific test taking strategies. Before I start test prep, I select the strategies I want to teach and the order in which to teach them.  Since my second grade students are new test takers, I start with Bubbling Basics and have them practice making neat, bubbled answers on a bubble sheet.  Listen and Learn is the second strategy I introduce because students have to listen carefully as most of the Stanford 10 standardized test is read-aloud. We play Simon Says and other games that focus on following directions to practice this skill.  The rest of the strategies are taught while completing specific test prep practice. Be a Determined Detective and The Key is in the Question are perfect strategies to teach during reading comprehension practice passages. Show Your Solutions and Significant Signs are ideal for math computation practice. I post the strategies in a prominent place in the classroom and refer to them during test prep time.  Download our complete Standardized Test Prep Unit here.

Test Taking Tips

Encourage reluctant test takers.  Testing can cause major anxiety for students; relieve this pressure with Tina Turtle, Troubled Test Taker.  Introduce Tina with her rhyming poem; discuss her anxious feelings and help the class make connections to their own testing experiences.  Explain that students have one important job— to teach Tina the test-taking strategies and tools needed for success.  Each student gets a copy of Tina with blank scales; they are blank because she is lacking testing strategies. Students will teach Tina new strategies and record them on her scales; by the time Tina takes the test, her scales will be covered with strategies. Together Tina and the class will become confident, prepared test takers.

Tina

Store test prep in an important place. Create special test prep folders to house strategies and practice tests. Simply use 2 pocket folders with prongs; label one pocket “Reading” and one pocket “Math”.  Put Tina and her poem in a plastic sleeve inside the folder; students can refer to her poem and fill out her scales during each practice session. Glue the Test Prep Chant and Test Taking Tips on the front and back of each folder.

Inside folder

Inside folder 2

Include motivational rewards.  Since my class is the Test Prep Troops, I give a special ration at the end of each session. This can be a Smartie (for smart students), pencils, stickers, etc. Pick a reward that your students will enjoy; parents can help donate these items as well.

Rations

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