Test Prep Ideas- Rockin the Test (with Rockin Resources)

Test Prep 

Do you cringe when you enter a faculty meeting in the middle of the year and you see THE DREADED TEST on the agenda?  I know that our principals need to prepare us for THE DREADED TEST, but seriously?   I can't quite wrap my brain around THE DREADED TEST when I have a million and one things swirling through my head.  On that very day, I had to email a few parents, grade an assessment, get manipulatives ready for the next day, text my son about his ride home, and ignore my husband's text asking what was for dinner!  On that very day I was dealing with Johnny poking his classmates, Jilly crying because her friend hurt her feelings, Jason who refused to do his work, Jeanie who didn't understand my inferencing lesson, a parent concerned about her child's grades, another parent who was upset about cafeteria food, another parent who didn't want her child sitting by Johnny, and one more who was upset with me that I didn't make a BIG deal about his daughter's birthday.  Goodness!  You know what I'm talking about.   It seems like THE DREADED TEST is so far away and we are no way near ready!  Don't stress me out too early!

Well like all of us, I got through the day.  I learned a few good tips about THE DREADED TEST and packed it away for when I was mentally ready for it.  I dealt with all the daily issues, got ready for the next day, and took the rest home.  (Hubby picked up take-out.)

So, how DO I deal with THE DREADED TEST?

First, I don't talk about THE DREADED TEST with my students until we are ready for review and  test-taking strategies.  Stressing them out is not productive.  Let me stress.  We all know that no matter how much we stress, that day will come and it will go.  The end.  We know we work hard assessing students and finding the best possible lessons to meet their individual needs.  I can't tell you not to worry about it, because we have so much invested in THE DREADED TEST.  However, keep in mind that Johnny may come to school hungry, Jilly will be worried and over sensitive, Jason might be reluctant to start, and Jeanie is going to be stumped over a few questions.  It happens and you know what?  It is ok.  We are all human!

When it is time to mention THE DREADED TEST, I try my very best to be UPBEAT and POSITIVE.  I start by reading the book Testing Miss Malarky by Judy Finchler.  Click on the book to purchase it from Amazon!

Here is a youtube of someone reading the book:

Testing Miss Malarky Youtube

Then we start a review through homework, whole group, and independent activities.

1.  Homework- A month prior to the test, I divide the subject matter up into 4 sections.  Since I teach SS and Language Arts, I do the same for both subjects.  Student receive a study guide, nightly assignments, and a quiz at the end of each week.  This has proven to be a  highly effective technique for review and keeps students accountable for the material. 

2.  Whole Group- In order to monitor students closely to see who may still need help in certain areas, I like to review as a whole group.  One way to keep students' attention is to review through games.  My favorite is Jeopardy.  Here is a free template offered online.  FREE JEOPARDY TEMPLATE There are others too, JUST google- FREE JEOPARDY TEMPLATES.   Click on the games below if interested in reviews in a 3-5 classroom.   I will put them on sale for the next 5 days!

3.  Independent- My favorite independent practice for students is the app Quizlet.  Often times I allow my students to make quizlets and share them with our class.  For the end of year review, I like my students to use the ones I create to make sure they are getting everything they need for review.  What I like about this app is that it tracks time and students compete against each other.  They love it!

Last, I teach Test Taking Strategies.  Whatever the EOY test may be (I say that because I teach in South Carolina and we keep changing our EOY tests, HA), I create a quick Powerpoint with the directions of the test and review the EXACT words with my students.  This may lead to a discussion on a particular word they may not be familiar to them and will avoid explanation and anxiety the day of THE DREADED TEST!  I also go through general TEST TAKING STRATEGIES with them.  The next thing you know, THE DREADED TEST is over!!!!  Can I get a woo woo???

I hope you found some useful information here.  UPPER GRADE MEMOIRS has many talented teachers brainstorming ways to help you in your classroom!  Come back for more ideas!

Rockin' the Test with Apps and Website Applications

Whether you have a limited number of hand-held devices or 1 to 1 iPads for you classroom, I have some ideas for you in preparing for assessments. Or, you can actually use these apps and websites for formative assessment tools. I'm Sandy Cangelosi with Sweet Integrations. This month our group is sharing ideas so your students can ROCK THE TEST!

1. Plickers

I love Plickers because it's an easy way to pre-assess your students before you begin a unit to see what they already know, assess while you're teaching a unit, or at the end of the unit as a formal assessment. You only need one device for the teacher and students need cards. The teacher just scans the student cards as they display their answers. Each side of the card is labeled with a letter. Students show the letter with the correct answer at the top. Teachers just go to the Plickers website to register their class and download the app on their iPhone or iPad. Make copies of the cards on cardstock so they're sturdy. I would not suggest laminating because of the glare. I wouldn't recommend this for a formal assessment because students can easily see what cards are being held.

Watch this video to learn a bit more.

2. Kahoot 

Kahoot is another response system that is game based. Teachers or even students create a free account. Each student or groups of students have a device or computer with a web browser. Quizzes, discussions and surveys (called Kahoots) can be created. This is highly motivating because it's game-based. The students go to http://kahoot.it and enter the PIN number that corresponds with the activity or quiz and then add their name. As the questions appear, students choose their answers. Students try to get the highest number of points. 

Watch this cute video to get an idea of how Kahoot works.

3. Classkick

This is an app is for the iPad. It's fairly new and has received high ratings. I like Classkick because teachers can create the lessons, students work during real time and they can receive instant feedback as they work. Students can even request help from the teacher or from other students while working on the assignment. Classkick is an excellent resource for review.

Teachers

Teachers can see the whole class working at once on his/her device and see how each individual student is performing. The students can work at their own pace.

Students

If a student needs help, he/she can ask for help privately on their device. The teacher can reteach a concept on the device so the whole class can see.  Or, a student can receive tutoring from another student in class. Students can even use this free app at home!

How Does it work?

After the teacher creates an account, there are several step-by step tutorial videos to watch before actually creating assignments. Teachers can then add their students to their roster. Screenshots can be added from your google drive, the web or images from your camera roll. Images can be cropped and rearranged to fit on the page. Text, audio and video can be added to the workspace and links to websites. Next, students are given the class code so they can complete the assignment and so their instructor can view their work.

I can imagine so many uses for this new app. Teachers can use ClassKick for social studies, math skills, reading comprehension, and review for tests. I love how students can get immediate feedback and work closely with their classmates.

If you're looking for my ways to prepare your students for tests, take a look at this editable PowerPoint. All you have to do is enter your questions and answers. It's discounted for one week.

Computation Intervention {with The Primary Gal}

Please tell me that I'm not alone in wondering where to begin with test preparation.  Do you start with the basics such as computation?  Problem solving?  Technology skills?  Ahhhh!  It can be overwhelming and time is so precious.  Prior to Christmas break, I began to think about what routines I have in place as well as what I need to implement during the spring semester to ensure that my students were prepped and ready for that dreaded test. 

I like to use daily routines for spiral review to ensure that students are being repeatedly exposed to grade level content.  Each day, I lay out one card with a computation problem.  Students have ONE shot at getting this answer completed correctly.  They must show all of their work in order to receive credit.  I have a rotation in which I use for the problems each day based on the weaknesses that I am seeing with my students.  I am currently rotating through adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions, as well as basic multiplication and division.  We have completed five rounds with this set of skills and I am getting ready to rock their world when I move to harder material such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing mixed numbers, as well as multiplying and dividing decimals.

I allow my students to complete this problem at any time throughout the morning and I begin checking their answers during study hall (12:00-12:30).  Obviously, I cannot display my student data in a picture but this is similar to what I do.  If they have the problem correct, I place a check next to their name. As they return their practice pages the following day, I put a star next to their name.  At a quick glance, I can see who consistently answers problems correctly (checks), incorrectly (stars), or does not complete homework (completely blank).

For students who do not correctly answer the question, I give them a coordinating practice page for homework.  I love this intervention because it targets only the students who need the practice without taking away precious class time.  Each page includes a QR Code that allows the students to check their own work before turning it in.

So here is the data!  I am slightly embarrassed with my first round numbers.  Out of 37 students, in my first round through basic computation, I had MANY errors.  Many of them were just simple errors while a few students were TOTALLY off track.  Either way, they received twelve additional problems for homework that evening.  By round three, I was extremely happy with their progress and feel that the additional practice has been an effective way for making sure that students are mastering these computation skills without taking away time from other review and test prep.

I had a parent question why I was using ONE question to determine if they needed additional homework on that particular skill.  My justification is that there may only be ONE problem on high stakes testing that determines if they know how to complete this skill.  I need them to be able to demonstrate in ONE problem what they can do and do it accurately.  It also encourages students to SLOW DOWN.  I often remind them that it makes more sense to take your time on that one problem than to rush through and receive additional homework.

By clicking the image above, you can grab my Computation Intervention Club or choose custom products to build an intervention plan that will help your students the most.