Test SUPERHEROS!

There are lots of test "superheroes" floating around the internet. I decided to adapt some ideas that I saw and have my kiddos create their own "testing superheroes" based off of the reading test strategies we have been learning.
First, we created this FABULOUS flip chart that I found over at Savvy School Counselor. We did not use file folder, instead we just cut a sheet of paper and glued these in the back of our reading notebooks for future use and study. I also adapted his cute sayings to match our strategies.

• Be Prepared - eat a healthy breakfast, wear comfy clothes (and something "lucky"), be on time 
• I ROCK - inspiring quotes that they could use to inspire and encourage themselves with. Positive self talk for the test "You are doing great!" "You have a lot of knowledge, I know you can get this question!" "Keep going _____, I believe in you!" 
• Show my Thinking - I write down that thoughts that are in my head, I eliminate questions based on my schema, I underline the evidence I find in the text 
• Context Clues - I look around the word, I break the word apart, I look for apposition (. , -), I cover the word 
• Slash the Trash - Cross out answers that I know are not right, Cross out answers that have no evidence
• Q - ALWAYS READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST! 
• Jail the Detail - Circle words and key detail words in the QUESTION that will help you answer the question correctly
• Plug it In - I plug in and try EVERY answer
• R.Q. - I always RESTATE the QUESTION if it is a short answer question 
• Check it Out - I go back and recheck all of my answers, I check and make sure my bubbles match the number I am on

Then, I had the kids break up into teams of 4 and choose a test strategy that they wanted to create into a superhero.
Their Superhero had to have:

• Name (incorporating the strategy in some way) 
• Superpowers (the inside detail of the strategies flaps) 
• Costume/Outfit
• Color scheme

The kids did REALLY well on these! I was SO proud of how they turned out! I have some exceptional artists in my room this year :)

Don't you just LOVE the little detail .. the different body parts that can perform the context clue! 

 They wanted him to shoot "light bulbs" from his belt - like he is giving people ideas ...hehe

Oh, and notice his "thought bubble" cape ;) 

His little feet are PLUGS! LOVE IT!

 I also added a poster to our door that played along with the theme ...

And, I added these cute little guys as test treats for the first day of test :)

To see other treats I do for testing, and get the template for these cute little guys, go {HERE}.

What are some great testing ideas you pump the kids up with while still studying strategies??  

T-E-S-T prep

We just finished up our state testing last week! I know what you are thinking, Michigan tests the previous year in the fall, I think it is dumb too!
However, it is really nice to have it over with!

I thought I would share a quick recap of some of the things we did this year to prep for the test.

Playing off of Teaching in Room 6's test prep station idea, I created my own test prep centers:
Center 1: Read to Self along with a Comprehension Mat that I purchased here

Center 2: Computers - prepdog.com
(an AMAZING test prep website I got from Teaching in Room 6)

Center 3: Task Cards which I have slowly been buying from here. She has wonderful task cards that students can be doing independently or with a partner. For test prep I had them do it independently.

Center 4: Root Word Work on their Reading Olympian packet

Center 5: Small group review at the back table with me

We also did LOTS of reading comprehension sheets where I required students to SHOW their evidence for their answer. They needed to show things like:

• Underline and write where they found the proof of their answer 
• Identify whether they found the answer "in the text" or "in their heads - inferring" 
• Circled clue words in the questions that helped them
• Crossed out answers that either were obviously wrong or had no evidence 
• Wrote down their schema to help them answer the questions 

Tomorrow I will be sharing our TEST SUPERHEROS!"    

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3.

     As we finish up THE TEST, make-up and such, I thought I would share some fun test treats I created for my kids based off of pinterest posts I found. I will try to give credit to where credit is due, but with random pins and lots of people having the same ideas posted it can be difficult to know exactly who made it first, but I'll do my BEST!
I supposed I will start with my partner teacher and I's creations {from the days before pinterest -_-}
The first day I have a kid bring in a pack of water bottles a day early so I can decorate them for encouragement "______________ will BEAT THE MEAP!"

 Cute Smarty idea from Juiceboxes and Crayolas

I created my own "KISS" card based off of pin I saw but could not find an original blog for.

     I'm sure you've all been seeing these little "Superpops" flying around cyber world. NO PUN INTENDED ;) They were the PERFECT treat for the kids since my classroom theme this year is SUPERHEROES! Awesome. Since this was so time consuming (ha!) and a LOT of sugar for pre-test. I decided to wait and have this be our END of test treat! I do not see harm in little kisses or smarties before a test, but to give kids such large doses of sugar (ex. cookie(s), suckers, etc.) can really give them a sugar rush which can wear off during the test, leaving them feeling tired, sluggish, and unfocused. All things we do NOT want them to be during any point of THE TEST! I got this AMAZING template from Zakka Life then edited it so it was personalized for OUR TEST!

     Lastly, a quick shot of our ready and sharpened #2 pencils and our pack of gum - which we let the kids chew during THE TEST to help them focus. Works well, gets the kids excited, and we haven't ever had an issue with it. Winner.

 Hope your tests have been going well if you are a FALL tester, if you are a SPRING tester, you are lucky!

BEATING THE MEAP!

"BEAT THE MEAP!" has been the rallying cry this last week as we buckle down to take "THE TEST"

We have actually had a lot of fun preparing and getting the kids geeked about it these last few weeks! Fun review sessions, quick quiz games, review stations, and fun treats along the way helped make it more of something to look forward to than dread. Though I'm sure we can all agree that there is still a substantial amount of stress no matter how much glits and glam we place on it - especially for us teachers! Even the 4th grade teacher got on board with us giving my kiddos a pep talk before THE TEST about how they are showing all they learned last year with him and how if 80% of them pass the Reading section (which is what he teaches) he will shave his head into a MOHAWK! Needless to say this was very inspirational to the kiddies - we now have a photoshopped poster of him on our board as a reminder! 

And because I just ADORE the fall season AND because the kids need mental breaks, I use these weeks to squeak in a few of my non-essential outdoor fall favorites! It has to be one of the coziest times of the year (besides for Christmas, which I think beats all seasons and holidays for me!). But seriously, I love all those "Fally" things - apple cider, hayrides, pumpkins, chilly enough for a light jacket but warm enough to go for a walk kind of evenings, beautiful fall colors ... mmmm ... I don't think I could ever live somewhere that didn't have the four seasons!

   My partner teacher and I took our kids out Tuesday afternoon after THE TEST and burned our initials into leaves with magnifying glasses - A HUGE HIT! I'm telling you, the easiest yet biggest crowd pleaser ever!

Another afternoon we had the kids collaborate by using ten straws and one arms length piece of masking tape to make a container to protect an egg. 

 Then we went out to the playground to test our protective packaging by tossing them from the very top of the jungle gym. It was great!

 

Good Luck Testers!