Hello Darlings!

I think all teachers would agree that state testing is awful. I mean, go ahead, name one person who thinks it is great (and don’t say the people who wrote the test!). It isn’t an accurate measure of what they know and it puts a ton of undue strain on our little ones as they are forced to perform under circumstances we all know are unfair. 

Then I put myself in my kiddo’s shoes. Hours upon hours, days upon days of testing. Staring at a computer screen reading articles and stories that may or may not be on my grade level. Answering questions that mean nothing to them. Figuring out complex math problems that are designed to trick them and confuse them. No thanks.

That’s where we as teachers come in. Since we can’t take it away (maybe someday!), we have to make this exciting. We have to provide students with the why (even if we don’t know what the why) is and show them the value.

The first step? Change the mood! Yes, wipe off the frustrated look on your face and bite your tongue as you hope to say all the things you hate about testing and then turn it on it’s side. Make it positive and shift your attitude. If you feel better about the test, your kids will see and feel that too! They have a sense for these things.

Think through, what are my goals with state testing? Mine are: support my students, allow them to feel success, and build them up during the process. I can do that!! If I put my mind to it and shift my attitude, I can be the best support they have ever known! 

State Testing Resources + A FREEBIE!

To lift your spirits and hopefully get you on board this idea of “yay, we love testing!” I want to share some resources you will need to get kick-started.

Resource 1:

The first is a free Test Prep unit that you can find in my resource library. I promise you will be glad you grabbed it because it has everything you could possibly need to get started and it is super easy to leave for a sub if you needed to jet!

Resource 2:

The second, which you can also find in my free resource library, is Test Prep Boot Camp. Beware though, you may have to have fun, laugh, and actually ENJOY preparing for the test if you use it…you have been warned! 

Resource 3:

A Test Prep Bundle that will give you all you need to forge ahead into cumulative review! Get your kids up and moving in centers (independent or with a partner) where they will partake in ELA and Math task cards. They will record their answers on a record sheet and can easily check the answer with you on the answer key! Way more fun that sitting in a desk all day and listening to whole group review. My kids have shown a great interest in it and have really loved the fun approach. I personally love it because it gives me a great pulse on how everyone is doing and frees me up to support my students that need it most! 

If there is anything we have learned from 2020, it is that things need to be flexible now! So if you are looking for something digital that self grades or perhaps a resource for kids that might be learning at home during your test prep, you will want to check out my Multi Step Word Problems Test and my Context Clues Multiple Choice Test. I want to be sure I’ve got you covered if you are dedicating yourself to all of this hard work preparing for the big event! 

Before you go, remember…positive attitude! We CAN do this! You CAN do this! Your students CAN do this! And what’s on the other side…? Summer my darlings! 

DM me on Instagram @thatteachingspark or tag me in a picture to show how you are amping yourself and your kids up for the big test!!