From Spring Break to Standardized Tests, Hold on Tight!
In the heart of the academic year, when the days seem to stretch endlessly and the glow of summer is just a distant promise, educators and students often find themselves struggling. The pressure cooker of approaching standardized tests (from time-intensive TELPAS to rigorous STAAR assessments) turns classrooms into environments where the stakes feel higher than ever.
My fellow teacher friends and I used to escape for lunch—those precious 9 minutes to ourselves, sitting in a strip mall parking lot, staring at an empty field—to discuss how and when we would quit.
“I’m going to quit during Spring Break,” one would say.
“I think I’ll just quit the week after Spring Break,” chimed in another.
I was the countdown queen. “Hey all, we only have 49 more school days left of the year, 48 not including Memorial Day!”
But my work bestie and the neighboring teacher didn’t like my countdowns. She wanted to be surprised.
We all cope differently. Whether you prefer a wall full of tally marks or ignorant bliss, all educators need to know that:
1. You’re not alone in feeling the pressure, and that
2. The completion of the year IS in sight, and you can get through it!
P.S. In spite of our mid-Spring slumps, my colleagues and I never quit during this busy season!
The Grit Behind the Grind
It’s no secret that Spring can be particularly daunting as teachers navigate the complexities of preparing students academically and emotionally for what lies ahead. The question echoes through the halls and online forums: “How do we prepare our students for standardized testing?” and perhaps more urgently, “How do we hold on until summer break?” It’s a cycle of renewal, where the challenges of today lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s triumphs.
Beyond testing turmoil lies a golden opportunity for growth and accomplishment.
Morning Kickstart and Skill Building
Morning work or bell ringers can keep skills fresh throughout test preparation. They also kickstart curiosity, preparing students for new learning. During test prep season, start each day with engaging, curriculum-aligned activities. I recommend providing diverse interactive exercises that make morning work something students look forward to, setting a positive tone for the entire day.
In particular, I like to use academic vocabulary as morning work. Students need practice to be confident answering test questions that include words like compare (identify what is similar) and contrast (identify what is different). Students must know the difference. Also, prefix, root, and suffix morning work will provide students with an edge in understanding difficult passages. Morning work also gives you 5-7 mins to orient yourself at the beginning of class, allowing you to feel less rushed and at your best during these high-pressure times.
Revolutionizing Review Sessions
As the academic year progresses toward its peak testing periods, get creative with your review sessions. I find that collaborative learning during review sessions works well. Students can motivate one another and help each other learn.
Put your class in teams of 4 and hold a contest for which team will win the review session. Allow students to consult with their team members before answering. This creates an environment of collaborative learning.
One fan favorite of my middle schoolers is “Trashketball,” which can be added to the game model above, where one team member from each team who answers a review question correctly gets a chance to try and make a basket into the trash can with a ball of crumpled paper. You can offer prizes like 5 minutes of free time before the end of class, or being exempt from classroom clean up, or anything of value to your students that doesn’t cost a thing.
Test Content vs. Testing Language
A tool I regularly used to prep my students (while teaching in Texas) was previously released official STAAR tests (e.g., the STAAR test from 2021). I used these practice tests not only to teach content but also context. A standardized testing format often presents new challenges for students.
Here’s a great example. Analyzing data from benchmark assessments revealed that many of my students answered the same question incorrectly. But I was sure that my students knew the concept . . . what could the problem be?
Upon further investigation, I asked each one of my classes to explain the concept to me in their own words. They knew the content thoroughly. However, when reviewing the test, I learned that in the question, understanding the word “prior” was critical to understanding the question. As in, “Which skirmishes occurred prior to the Battle of the Alamo?” Many of my students didn’t know what the word prior meant. They understood the concept but missed the question due to this unfamiliar vocabulary word.
Teaching students the language and context of standardized tests is crucial. If they can’t understand what the question is asking, there’s no way they’ll be able to provide the correct answer.
Testing Strategies
Direction words, the process of elimination, checking your work, revisiting difficult questions, confirming you’ve marked in answer bubbles, etc. Testing strategies are a huge part of standardized tests, though we often forget to teach them. Teachers are focused on the content they’ve taught before test preparations begin, and we sometimes forget that testing strategies are vital to our students’ success.
Direction words like although, but, while, and however either keep the direction of a sentence going in the same direction or change the direction of a sentence. “Although it was sunny, the weather was tumultuous.” Was the weather outside pleasant? No. But many kids would say yes because the statement says, “it was sunny.” If you don’t know what tumultuous means, understanding how certain words change the sentence direction can be a key strategy. Don’t forget to teach the process of elimination; this strategy is important for students of all ages and will serve them well throughout their testing careers.
Transforming Pressure into Progress
One way to transform pressure into progress is to track progress!
Students DO care to see the benefits of their input. Create a chart for your class or classes that shows a benchmark of where students started, even a simple one like a class average on the last review. With that baseline in mind, as a class, they can work to beat the average.
There are many ways to track progress, and by doing so, you’re motivating your students. I once offered the class with the highest percentage of improvement a chance to decorate my classroom door, which also meant spending class time cutting, pasting, and drawing—not to mention a loud declaration in the hallways that they were the champions. You know your students better than anyone, and you know what they beg for, what they dislike, etc. Incentives can be simply giving them what they ask for or removing what they complain about. You can also create a classroom leaderboard.
Just make it fun!
Managing Test Anxiety
Another way to prepare your students for success is to discuss the reality of test anxiety. I like to say, “Don’t be scared, be prepared!” I know, I know, cringe, but it’s true! Help your students understand that stress is a part of life, that we must learn to manage it, and offer them techniques to do so. They will be able to regulate their own test anxiety eventually.
Techniques I like to use are giving 5 mins of quiet head down time before beginning a review class, 5-7 minute meditations for kids, and general mindfulness practices. These strategies accomplish two things. They give a small break from the hustle and bustle of the day, allowing students to stop, regroup, and relax momentarily. But they also signal to your students that you care about and respect them. Feeling relaxed and respected is a prime state for your students to be in before challenging test reviews. Don’t forget to add some movement, connection, and fun into your test prep routines as well!
The Countdown to Summer
As the curtain rises and falls on another testing season, the anticipation of summer brings a well-deserved sense of relief and achievement. Keep your eye on the prize and reframe testing season as a time when your students reap rewards for all that they’ve learned from you this year. It’s a culmination of all of your efforts and your students’ hard work.
A Final Thought
To the educators standing on the frontlines, remember that your efforts do not go unnoticed. The journey from the depths of testing season to the light of summer is a remarkable achievement.
In spite of the challenges, my colleagues and I took pleasure in coming back, year after year, with new energy for a new class of students. It was always a joy to find out that my students continued to show improvements on their test scores. And I’m still teaching today, working with students one main idea at a time!
So, as we count down the days, let’s embrace the challenge, lean on each other, and move into the sunshine with grace and grit. After all, it’s not just about surviving the storm but also learning to dance in the rain!
To help you out with all of the above-mentioned tips, here are some Boom Cards!
