We are stuck with testing. It isn’t going away anytime soon, so how can we find a way to look at it differently? Almost enjoy it? Well with these mindset shifts, I think you can do just that! 

Test Prep = Testing Fun

We have to test prep, it is a part of the game. But no one ever said it had to be boring. Test preparation is some of the most fun that you can have in the classroom! SERIOUSLY! 🙂 Read about all the ways to make test prep fun here! 

Their Scores = My Teaching

Guys, we are not in control of our students. We do not have any control over what is going on in their homes, if they sleep before the test, or if they spend 24 hours in front of a screen. We cannot and should not relate their testing scores to our teaching ability. It has to stop. Relate your teaching ability to the relationships with your students or what you see in the classroom, but do not by any means rate your teaching abilities by test scores. 

A Long Day = A Chance for Fun

Test day is LONG, but it also means that when the test is done you can have some fun! No other academic content needs to go on that day, so help your students realize that if they work hard it can also be a really fun day. Extra recess? Movie party? A board game competition? Find out what is fun for your students and go for it! 

Anxiety = Engagement

Do you have anxiety about the tests? Do your students? How can you turn that anxiety into engagement? Students want to do well on the test, so find some good and fun activities to do to prepare them for it. 

• Test prep fun tips here!
• Host an Olympic competition- read about that here!
• Have parents send in letters for their students to read on test morning. This will help ease up anxiety!
• Have students get a picture of their family to hang on the wall, just something to look at to ease anxiety.
• Provide students with an extra treat before and during the test!

Ease their anxiety and your own with fun and engaging little “extras”.

I hope that if you make some of these mindset shifts you can really see how testing can change into something fun and positive!