Test Prep and Standardized Testing for Upper Elementary Students

Test Prep and Standardized Testing for Upper Elementary Students

As upper elementary teachers, we constantly seek ways to bolster our students’ success in standardized testing, particularly reading and writing. These tests can be daunting, but with the proper preparation, we can turn them into opportunities for growth and achievement.

Today I share are some tips and strategies to help your students excel.

Leverage Reading Passages

Incorporating reading passages into daily learning is a cornerstone of effective test prep. Choose passages that span a range of genres and complexities to mimic the variety students will encounter on the test. After reading, engage students with comprehension questions that challenge them to think critically about what they’ve read. Questions should cover critical ideas, details, vocabulary, and inferential questions that require students to draw conclusions beyond the text. This improves comprehension skills and familiarizes students with the types of questions they’ll face.

Take a peek at some popular reading passages that teachers love using in their classroom:

• Reading Comprehension Passages Mixed Genres (set 1)
• Mysteries Reading Comprehension Passages
• US Holidays Reading Comprehension Passages
• Skill Based Reading Sets (Main Idea, Theme, Context Clues, Character Traits, and more)
• Leaders (Hispanic, Women, Black, Inventors, Athletes), Landmarks, Weather, Dinosaurs, Endangered Animals, Insects, Seasons and more

SHOP ALL THE SETS NOW

Prioritize Writing Practice

Regular writing practice across different formats — narrative, informative, and persuasive — prepares students for various writing tasks they might encounter. Encourage them to organize their thoughts clearly and to support their arguments with evidence. Peer reviews can be powerful, providing feedback and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Also, stress the importance of the revision process, teaching students that excellent writing is often the result of careful editing and reworking.

SHOP ALL WRITING PRACTICE & PROMPTS HERE

Focus on Paragraph Editing and Reinforce Grammar Skills

Editing exercises are invaluable for honing writing skills. Use paragraph editing reviews to teach students to spot and correct grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and awkward phrasing. This practice reinforces grammar rules and encourages students to be meticulous and critical of their writing. Turn this into a game or a challenge to keep students engaged and make learning fun.

A solid understanding of grammar is crucial for standardized tests’ reading and writing sections. Integrate grammar lessons into your curriculum in interactive and engaging ways. Online games, apps, and group activities can make learning grammar rules more enjoyable. Regular review sessions help cement these concepts, ensuring students apply them correctly in their writing and understand them in the context of reading passages.

• Daily Paragraph Editing
• Daily Grammar and Language Review
• Writing Test Prep Bundle
• Weekly Spiral Language Writing and Grammar Review

Encourage Positive Reinforcement

The importance of a positive mindset cannot be overstated. Encourage your students with positive reinforcement notes and motivational posters. Celebrate their progress and achievements, no matter how small. This boosts confidence and motivates students to keep improving. I love displaying and have my students work on these before the BIG tests: POSITIVE ENCOURAGING TEST PREP POSTERS

More Test Prep Resources you will love using!

Reading Resources:

• Reading Test Prep Bundle  this bundle has all you need for engaging, reviewing, and encouraging your students during test prep season.
• Reading  Comprehension Passages you will find hundreds of reading passages that will teach and engage your students with topics and genres of interest! Whether you are learning about leaders, sports figures or focusing on a science topic, I have you covered! Take a peek and engage and prep your students without them even knowing!
• Test Prep Motivational Lapbook this is a fun way to encourage and review before the big test! Your students will love this keepsake!

Writing Resources

• Writing Test Prep Bundle: this bundle has 40 weeks of prepping for the writing test. Being a 4th grade teacher I focused on editing and mentor writing, and that is where this packet came to life!
• Grammar Test Prep Bundle this bundle has over a year of grammar practice that is perfect for morning spiral review, homework and so much more!
• All Writing Test Prep Activities
• Brand New: Grammar Jeopardy Review Games! Take a peek at these fun games that have been added to the shop! This is a fun way to review and have fun all season long!

TAKE A PEEK AT ALL THE TEST PREP RESOURCES HERE!

Helpful Test-Taking Strategies for Your Students

• PRACTICE REVIEW: Spend time doing daily reviews: Preparing for exams can be overwhelming, especially for children in younger grades. Rather than dumping all of the practice tests on them at once, it’s important to spend time reviewing one area each day. Here are some tools that can help your students: Click here to preview.
• FOCUS ON TROUBLED AREAS: Are you finding that more of your students are struggling with math? If so, you will want to focus on this a little bit more during your test prep.
• TEACH KIDS TEST TAKING STRATEGIES: Give them tips on what to do when they feel unsure of an answer, such as making their most educated guess and moving onto the next question. I developed some strategies that help my students. Seeing these displayed is often a simple reminder for them. 
  • Understand the Test Format- Familiarize students with the format of the test they will be taking. Understanding the types of questions (multiple choice, short answer, essay) and the subjects covered can reduce anxiety and improve performance.
  • Read Instructions Carefully- Emphasize the importance of reading all instructions carefully. Misunderstanding directions can lead to easily avoidable mistakes. Practice this by giving students instructions to follow in class activities.
  • Manage Time Wisely- Teach students how to manage their time during the test. They should know how to pace themselves, spending the appropriate amount of time on each section or question without rushing or lingering too long on difficult questions.
  • Use Process of Elimination- In multiple-choice questions, encourage students to use the process of elimination to narrow down their choices. Removing obviously incorrect answers can increase the chances of selecting the correct one.
  • Look for Keywords- In both reading passages and questions, teach students to look for keywords or phrases that are crucial to understanding what is being asked. This can help them focus their attention on the most important parts of the text.
  • Answer Every Question- Make sure students know that it’s important to attempt every question, even if they are unsure of the answer. Educate them on making educated guesses rather than leaving answers blank, as there is usually no penalty for guessing.
  • Review Your Answers- If time permits, students should review their answers, especially for sections they found challenging. This can help catch and correct any mistakes made during the initial response.
  • Practice Relaxation Techniques- Test anxiety can hinder performance. Teach students simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or positive visualization, to help calm nerves before and during the test.
  • Highlight or Underline Key Information- For paper-based tests, students can highlight or underline key information in questions and passages. This can help them focus on important details and improve their comprehension and recall.
• FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES:  Encourage students to maintain a positive mindset. Help them build confidence through positive affirmations and remind them that it’s okay to find some questions challenging. Remind the students how far they have come this year. Have them write out all the things they are proud of knowing and learning. Get students to create motivational quotes to motivate each other.
• ASK FOR HELP FROM PARENTS: Let them know when you will be doing your state test preparation and ask them to make sure that their child is well-rested and eats a well-balanced breakfast. You will want to do the same thing during the week of state testing. Parents appreciate these tips.

Preparing students for standardized tests in reading and writing doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By incorporating reading passages, focusing on writing and grammar, and maintaining a positive and supportive classroom environment, we can equip our students with the skills they need to succeed. Remember, the goal is not just to prepare them for a test but to foster a love of reading and writing that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

CLICK TO GRAB YOUR TEST PREP FREEBIES HERE!