Standardized testing can feel like a cloud looming in the distance for many elementary teachers. Here are 12 ways to brighten up your teaching world during testing!
You’ll love this collection of encouragement notes, treat ideas, testing book suggestions and encouraging fun video {if not just encouraging to you, the teacher!}
Have you seen? The Teach Junkie planning section is growing in numbers of pictured tutorials with free lesson plans for how to teach science so you can always search there if you’re looking for something different. {wink}
Testing Treats
1. Good Luck Smartie Pants – Pass out a roll of smarties or two and let your students know that they don’t really need the boost… but it’s fun anyways to be recognized as a smartie!
2. O-Fish-Ally Test Time – Give your kiddos some energy with these cute Goldfish cracker treat tag toppers. There are 6 different toppers included in this free set of printables.
3. Numbers Numbers Everywhere – Use rice krispie treats as a way to remind students to check their work on the state test.
4. Rock the Test – Tootsie rolls and a fun tag with a guitar make a longer-lasting treat to help keep mouths occupied during test prep for the big test!
5. Dew Your Best – This one may raise an eyebrow, but I love how this teacher forewarned parents before she sent home a Muuntain Dew with her students but they undoubtedly loved it.
6. Smart Cookies – Use the acronym for SMART to encourage great test taking strategies like checking work, marking the best answer and spending time wisely.
7. You’re so Sharp – Who doesn’t need an extra pencil or two come testing time? These adorable tags will make a perfect gift for the day before the big state test.
8. Donut Stress – Reminding students to think positively is just one of five clever ways to put a treat in students hands including a healthy string cheese snack snowman.
Testing Read Aloud Suggestions
9. Testing Miss Malarkey – Talk through misconceptions students have about the actual test, testing and relieve fears by starting a simple discussion with this book.
10. The Big Test – You’ll love the idea of using this (affiliate) book- The Big Test PLUS activities to help relieve testing jitters and a free printable parent note to have them send in secret encouragement notes for their kiddos.
Encouragement for Standardized Testing
11. Brain Sprinkles – If you have standardized testing at a kindergarten level, this little handful of sprinkles just might help do the trick to help keep students quiet and motivated.
12. Dear Parents – If you want to inform parents on how they can help their child prepare for testing, this free printable parent letter may be the right touch for your classroom.
And this little piece of encouragement is for you, dear fellow teacher. You go above and beyond what is asked on a daily basis. Enjoy this video of other teachers going the extra mile to encourage their students.
I hope you found these encouraging standardized testing resources helpful in brightening up your testing time. Thanks talented teachers – your ideas are great! Feel free to share your “I’m a Featured Teach Junkie” badge on your blog, facebook or instagram. You earned it! {{boo-yah}}
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Leslie {aka the original Teach Junkie} loves learning new things to make teaching easier and more effective. She enjoys featuring creative classroom fun when she's not designing teacher shirts, making kindergarten lesson plans or planning her family's next trip to Disney World.