In my state (California), we administer the CAASPP state test to students. No matter where you teach, if you teach in a public setting, you probably have a state test to get your students ready for. Going over the content of the state test is all well and good, but getting them in the right mindset is important too! Here are a few ways that I get my students thinking about the test positively.
Write an Encouraging and Personal Letter
One activity I have students do the day before the state test that I’ve found to be really helpful is to have the students write an encouraging letter to a random student. In this letter, they are encouraging this student to do their best, and maybe they add a few fun jokes or illustrations. On the day of the state test, I give students the letters to read at random just before they start – it can turn nervous feelings about the test into excited ones!
Here’s a simple and basic template you can use for this letter:
“Dear… Today is the big state test! Here are some things you can do to calm down before the test… Here is a funny joke to relax you… OR here’s a funny drawing! (write your own encouraging messages)” Sincerely – Student Name
Class Banner
Sometimes having a huge visual for students to look at while testing can be a nice reminder. It also gives your classroom a more cheery feel (rather than just feelings of dread!) You can go as simple or as elaborate as you like. On my white board, I made and displayed a “DONUT Stress Do Your Best” banner. Then, I have students fill out little blank donuts (see below) to decorate and write positive messages on.
The more colorful and unique, the better! I put double-sided tape on the back of each donut and display them all around my writing. I keep the display up the entire time the test is going on! Check this resource out if you want to try it for your students!
Testing Survival Kit
This take more work, but a really fun and powerful things I do for my students is create a testing survival kit for each of them. For this, I get parent help for items donations! Or, ask other students to help you put these together after school! Testing survival kits are actually just little goodie bags for each student that contains things like a new pencil, mints, jolly ranchers – anything that will help them smile! Check out this editable resource for some great ideas – they’re really to print on sticky notes too!
How do you prepare your students for the state test emotionally? Drop a comment below!
Stacey
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