Upper Grade Memoirs: Rockin' the Test with Less Stress on Teachers AND Students!

If you’re a teacher in grades 3 and up, you’re probably approaching (or maybe you’re already there) that dreaded crunch time before state testing arrives. This time is typically accompanied with anxiety, tension, and stress for both students and teachers.

What makes standardized testing so stressful? Maybe it’s the actual method by which they are administered?

They are rigidly timed.
Instructions are complicated.
Rules are inflexible.
The room is completely rearranged.
Day-to-day life in the classroom is interrupted.

These are all things that (at this point) are out of our control. So, until a law is passed with less emphasis on high-stakes testing, we must find a way to muddle through the mess, calm our nerves (and student’s nerves), and ease the stress of testing. There’s many ways to do this as teachers.

When it comes to testing we want our students to perform well. We know that scores will be analyzed, published in newspapers and on websites, and banners will be given to exemplary schools. Teachers are even analyzed based on “their” test scores. We know that this can in turn affect our teaching position for the following year, or even worse – our paycheck! Naturally this brings about a high degree of stress on teachers.

How can we, as teachers, limit that stress?

Create a Positive Atmosphere

One thing I’ve learned in 14 years of teaching is that my students can read me pretty well. They know when I’m in a bad mood. They know when I’m tired. They know when they should be on their best behavior. They know when I’m stressed out! These feelings and emotions I have in the classroom affects my students.

Create an atmosphere in your classroom that makes students feel at ease. Praise them for their hard work. Encourage them with words like, “You’ve got this,” or “You can do this.” Reassurance goes a long way - especially when it’s coming from their teacher. Remaining calm and friendly will help ease their nerves. It’s important that your students not see you upset or worried (even if you are).

Get students excited!

Yes, I know…excited about taking a test? Excited about taking a 3 hour test? What student gets excited about that? Well, the reality is, standardized testing is not going to go away (or at least not anytime soon), so we might as well try to make it as enjoyable as possible for students. Give your students magic pencils or special stickers to wear. Before the test, allow your students to show off how smart they are by playing review games and competing against each other in class.

In my classroom, students get special testing “treats” on their desk each day of testing. For example, I might leave a note on each student’s desk that says, “You’re one smart cookie!” with a few cookies for a snack, or “You can lick this test!” with a sucker attached. On the last day, I like to leave a note that says, “This test is o-fish-ally over!” with a bag of Goldfish Crackers. We typically test for 3-4 days straight, so my students love coming in each morning to see what special treat I’ve left them that day. By doing this I transform anxiety into excitement!

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Not knowing what to expect naturally evokes fear and anxiety – especially in children. Practice taking similar tests before the “REAL” test. Follow through with testing protocol just as if students were taking the big test. Allow students time to practice bubbling answers (since this is not typically how we assess students throughout the year). Practice time management, by administering the test with time limits. Giving students the opportunity to experience this different way of testing will ease their fears, and they will know exactly what to expect come testing day.

Involve Parents!

Inform parents about the test, when it will be administered, and what they can do at home to help ease the stress of testing for their child. Simple tips for parents like – going to bed early, eating a healthy breakfast, and encouraging their child to do their best – can go a long way!

Along with keeping my parents informed about testing, I also send home a special letter and blank note. I ask parents to write a letter on the blank note encouraging their child to do their best. In my letter I instruct them to send the note back with a picture that’s special to their child. During testing days, I display each note and picture on a bulletin board in our classroom. Sometimes I receive family pictures, pictures with a child and their pet, or pictures with grandparents. It always varies, but the notes and pictures serve as a reminder to each child that they have support and encouragement from home as well. They love reading the notes and looking at the pictures. They can visually see how much support they have from home just by glancing at the bulletin board.

Relax!

As I said before, test anxiety and stress doesn't just occur in students. WE (teachers) feel it, too. You've no doubt done an excellent job to prepare your students for this day. Now, let them do their job to show off what they have learned. Most (notice I said “most”) students want to please their teacher and parents. We have to hope that students will take the test(s) seriously, but it’s easy to play through scenarios in our mind. What if they don’t look back for the answers? What if they don’t work out the math problems? What if they don’t finish in time? Is there REALLY anything we, as teachers, can do about it? As I like to say, “It is what it is.” Stressing about it gets us nowhere, but of course that’s sometimes easier said than done. (By the way, I’m preaching to the choir here.) J The most important part is relaxing and remaining calm around our students. A student’s anxiety can be contagious, but it will be easier to get them to relax if you’re relaxed!

Above I mentioned the special desk treats and parent letters I display on a bulletin board in my classroom. Below, you will find my testing treat tags (treats not included – sorry), and a copy of the letter and blank note I send home to students. This product is available in my store. Click on the images for a closer look!