We finished standardized testing last week. Whew!
Now we relax AKA anxiously await the results. *fingers crossed*
I already told you some of the things we did to prepare for testing, specifically 4 ways to reduce testing anxiety, but here are some things I did throughout the testing week to keep kids calm and positive.
Say Goodbye to Worries:
One day, we read Wilma Jean the Worry Machine, which is a Julia Cook book about a young girl who suffers from anxiety. Throughout the book, she learns that worrying isn’t helpful and what she can do to deal with it. You can find it on Amazon here (affiliate link) or watch on YouTube here.
After reading, we talked about all of the standardized testing “What Ifs” that students may be wondering. Like Wilma Jean, we discussed worries that we CAN control versus worries that we CANNOT control. Lastly, I encouraged students to write down their worries on a sticky note. I told them no one would see what they wrote – not even me.
Peer Letters of Encouragement:
Another day, students wrote letters to a peer. They drew a classmate’s name out of a hat – actually, a box, LOL – and settled down to write a meaningful note of encouragement. I included a checklist at the top of the template to hold students accountable. The checklist gives ideas and suggestions for students to write about. That way, even if they drew a name of someone they do not know very well, they still had plenty to write about. I really wanted all of my students to write, and therefore receive, quality letters.
This template is available for only a dollar right here in my TPT store.
Print on colored paper, chop on the dotted line when students are done writing, and leave them on desks for your precious students to find one morning of testing. You’ve got this, teach! Go get ’em!
