Book Talk Thursday ~ Hooray for Testing?


Yes, you read that right!  Hooray for testing!  Yesterday I wrote a post about how much I do not enjoy testing, but it is part of life in our schools.  I have been teaching for 17 years, and it has always been there.  It was there before I was there.  I took them, and so will my children.  So, today for Book Talk Thursday I am highlighting a book to help with testing and linking up with my friend Carla at Comprehension Connection for Think About It Thursday.

http://www.comprehensionconnection.net/2014/04/think-about-it-thursday-working-with.html

I always find new ways to help my students prepare for tests, and this year is no different.  In my job I work with students who are challenging in many ways, and they are the hardest to motivate.  Many times they are behavior problems because they lack the skills to to do well in school.  Their home lives are not conducive to learning, and they end up acting out in class.  Carla has some wonderful ideas for helping those challenging students in her post, so I am going to showcase a book that will help students be more prepared for those state tests: Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!
Dr. Seuss started the book but did not finish it before he died, so Jack Prelutsky and Lane Smith completed the book.  It definitely follows the style of Dr. Seuss and has a great positive message for our students.  The book is about a school where it is obvious that the teachers love to teach and the students love to learn.  But Principal Lowe comes in with some news that makes the students of Diffendoofer worry ~ they will be tested on all they have learned.  If they do not pass, the students will have to go to "dreary Flobbertown".  No one wants to go there, so the students work hard to ensure they stay at Diffendoofer School.  What a positive message for students to show that they can succeed!

So, to help my students, those challenging students, feel more prepared for our state testing, I made these bookmarks and packs for motivation.  Click {here} or on the picture below to grab your free copy of the bookmarks and testing sign.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Star-Testing-Motivation-Bookmarks-and-Testing-Sign-684746

How do you motivate those challenging students, especially during testing?

Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

9 comments

  1. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing! This year our 5th and 6th graders made posters of encouragement for the 3rd and 4th grade hall! This has been very motivating for the 3rd and 4th graders.

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    1. Several years ago we had a pep rally for the kids taking the tests. It was a lot of fun! We still have the posters from it and have put them up over our library windows, so everyone can see them in the hallway. I noticed some kids looking at them the other day, so I hope it helps out!

      Andrea

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  2. Andrea-I'm really glad you linked up with me, and I hope your kids survive the challenging weeks ahead. Thank goodness the number of tests are being reduced. Perhaps that will relieve a bit of the stress our kids feel. Hoping the remaining weeks go smoothly for you.
    Carla

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  3. We are finishing up most of our high stakes tests also. Keeping kids motivated is definitely a worthwhile goal.
    Sebrina
    Burke's Special Kids

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    1. I do hope that it all went well. It is definitely not my favorite part of the year.

      Andrea

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  4. We start our testing this week. Thank you for sharing your tips.

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  5. Good idea, Andrea! Literature is so powerful!
    Deb
    Not very fancy

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    1. It is very powerful! Anything to help those students' motivation for the tests!

      Andrea

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