There are millions of test preparation strategies out there. But my biggest strategy for test preparation is to make it FUN. In this post, I am going to share some simple ideas to make test preparation fun!
Why make test prep fun?
Students want to have fun, so their motivation is high. When their motivation is high, they will work extremely hard on the problems you give them. This means that they will be learning more because they are giving it their best effort.
Also, when kids are enjoying themselves in the prep for the test, they will have a better attitude for the test. When students are exhausted from test preparation they will carry that exhaustion into test-taking.
Left, Right, Center
This is SO simple! All you need is a test preparation packet or worksheet and a dice.
The students do the first question on the page and you go over it. Then, someone rolls the dice. If it says left, they pass their paper to the left and answer number 2 on the next paper. If it says right, they do the same thing but pass the paper to the right.
If it says center, they throw their paper in the center and you play a short song while they dance (30 seconds is good). Then, they quickly sit at a new seat, grab a paper, and work on the next problem.
Paragraph of the Day-Challenge Style
Using these paragraphs of the day each day is a great way to review for tests with highly engaging topics (you can use any test prep material for this).
But an easy way to add some fun and engagement to these paragraphs is to add a challenge component to it. Put kids in groups of two or three and they face off against another group. Each group works on their own to answer the questions on the assignment. Then, as a class, you go over it. Whoever has the most correct answers wins the competition. If it is a tie, you give them a tie-breaker question.
Do this over several weeks and the groups can keep track of their points to see who wins at the end!
Face Off
This test preparation strategy is so easy. Have the entire class answer a test prep question or sheet. Then, bring two students up to face off against each other to answer the question. The first one to answer it correctly wins. If neither student answers it correctly someone from the audience can come steal the win!
The Olympics
The Olympics is a test preparation strategy that lasts over the entire test prep season. Students work in “countries” to earn medals through test prep.
Read all about the Olympics in this post here!
Fun Morning Work
Are your students completing morning work each day? Well, use that morning work to make test prep fun!
How do you do that? Simple, let them work with anyone in the class to complete it. But challenge them to work in a different part of the classroom with a new partner each day. You could let them use fun writing utensils too!
Other Quick Ideas
Websites like Quizizz, Kahoot, Edcite, and Prepdog are great ways to integrate technology and keep students engaged.
Want to get students up and moving!? Dunk It is a fun activity where kids can practice for the test and throw balls of paper in the room. Don’t worry, it is organized! 😉
A Gallery Walk is a way for students to think critically about an answer and really dive deep into a passage using text evidence before having a whole class discussion focusing on each group’s thoughts.
Hannah Wilde
I am so glad you’re here! I love helping 3rd-5th grade teachers by providing ideas, engaging resources, and professional development they need. I am a literacy coach who is here to help lessen the workload for teachers while making them more confident! I want students to be continually engaged in a rigorous environment!