Standardized Test Preparation: Be Prepared — Not Scared!

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Whether you're talking about a field trip or standardized test, nothing is scarier to a teacher today than the thought of leaving a child behind. At least on the field trip you can just turn the bus around, but the standardized test takes a little more effort. Nearly all students will take a standardized test during their intermediate years, and how well they perform depends on many factors. Student success should never depend on "teaching to the test" or having a 2-week crash course beforehand. Effective teaching all year long fosters the best results. However there are specific test-taking strategies you can arm your students with throughout the year, so that the standardized test feels more like a familiar assessment tool than a scary monster that strikes fear into the hearts of students, parents, and teachers. This unit offers tips and ideas to help students feel confident and prepared when standardized testing season rolls around, without teachers having to compromise their school's curriculum or their personal teaching philosophy.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Apply strategies learned in class to formal assessments
2. Increase knowledge of time management skills during assessments
3. Understand the purpose for participating in standardized tests
4. View the annual standardized test as "just another test"
5. Emulate their teacher's attitude toward the test

LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: Preparing for Success

CULMINATING ACTIVITY

When you have completed your standardized testing, help students celebrate their successes. Set aside class time for students to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the test. Talk about what they did well and what was challenging. Although many schools and teachers like to throw a "party" to celebrate the end of testing, I prefer not to do so. After putting great effort into convincing students this is just another test, I believe having a party sends a contradictory message. When the results come in, I share overall success trends that the class demonstrated, while reminding them how far they've come during the year.

SUPPORTING BOOKS

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonPlans/unit_testprep_books.htm

Forming, Answering, and Scoring Open-Ended Questions
Teachers learn to form better open-ended questions. This unit also includes an effective method for answering open-ended questions.

Taking the Jitters out of Testing
Help calm students nerves about standardized testing taking by repeatedly exposing them to practice tests and regularly assessing their skills.

ARTICLE	Standardized Test Preparation Access lessons, sample questions, and teacher-tested strategies to hlep you through testing and assessment.
LESSON PLAN	Set the Stage for Testing Success First year teachers, take the mystery out of standardized test success by teaching students problem solving. This article also covers strategies...