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You are here: Home / assessment / Making State Tests a “Happy Day”
assessment

Making State Tests a “Happy Day”

March 18, 2014

Yes, you read that correctly. As a follow up to last week’s We Built a Fort Today post, I’m sharing what our grade level did to combat the state test stress.

This year, third grade decided to turn our pass/fail reading test that will decide whether or not our students promote to fourth grade into a happy day for everyone. We wanted our students to CELEBRATE their hard work and feel confident going into the test instead of being nervous and dreading it. The plan?


Happy Day shirts with our school motto on the back were sold to staff members. Students were encouraged to wear yellow that day. Don’t worry, be happy was definitely at the forefront!


Fourth graders who took the test last year and our school’s spirit committee made posters to hang from the ceiling in the third grade hallway in the days leading up to the test. 



Balloons and banners greeted students as they arrived at school. We had all of our staff members line the hallway to literally scream, shout, cheer, and applaud as the third graders walked into school that morning.

We handed out happy stickers and bookmarks in our classroom before the test so everyone could wear their happy and have some yellow on.

The super talented and fun teacher next door rewrote the YMCA song with lyrics about the IREAD test. Our grade level recorded us singing the song, and I created PowerPoint to show in our classrooms right before the test. I removed our student’s pictures so that I could share it here and it lost the cute font in conversion, but you get the point. 🙂 Thanks to Mel at Graphics from the Pond for her adorable clip art. My students thought they were so funny mixed in with our pictures!

IREAD Celebration Song!



When the tests were over, we celebrated with happy face cookies during lunch!



And then in the afternoon, we had a little grade level party. We took what is typically a stressful day in third grade and turned it into a celebration. How about THAT?! Many thanks to my wonderful coworkers who made it possible! =)


testing
by Christi Fultz 

About Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

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Comments

  1. Life in Special Education says: March 18, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    What a wonderful idea! Looks like you all had a great time. I bet your test scores are much better since the kids went into it stress-free.

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:20 am

      Fingers crossed! 😉

  2. Allee Ellen says: March 18, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    What a great idea! It's so stressful for teachers and students alike when high stakes testing comes around. I think ALL schools should employ this idea and make testing days into happy days!

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:20 am

      It definitely worked for us, so I had to share it. Hope it sparks some inspiration!

  3. Mrs. Spangler in the Middle says: March 18, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Love the theme and especially the cookies! 🙂

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:21 am

      Yes, the cookies were definitely favorites. 😉

  4. Amy Dodd says: March 19, 2014 at 12:15 am

    What a wonderful idea and love the theme!! We take ours in 3 weeks!

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:21 am

      Good luck!

  5. Rachel Vincent says: March 19, 2014 at 12:33 am

    Awesome!! I love how y'all turned it into a celebration instead of stress and worry! Great outlook!
    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:21 am

      Thanks! I think the kiddos appreciated it. 🙂

  6. Mrs. Decker says: March 19, 2014 at 1:15 am

    Love the IREAD song!

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:22 am

      Thank you!

  7. Kelly says: March 19, 2014 at 5:55 am

    Love all of the ideas! What a great idea to teach the kids the chance to celebrate their learning instead of stressing about scores. I can't wait to share your ideas at school!
    Kelly
    I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:22 am

      I hope it sparks some inspiration! It was as great day, for sure.

  8. Jannike Johnsen says: March 19, 2014 at 11:32 am

    It sounds like your school tried really hard to make a stressful day spent taking mandatory tests less stressful. Kudos to you all, and I mean that sincerely. It's a sad commentary, though, that you even have to go through all of that because of a test, and that there is that much pressure and big stakes attached to a test that 8 year olds take. I'm glad that my own children are grown, because if I had children that age, I would opt them out of all tests or homeschool them. There's a growing grassroots movement to change all of this, and for me, it can't come soon enough.

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:23 am

      I totally hear you. <3

  9. Anne says: March 19, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    This post actually brought tears to my eyes. Such a cool thing for your school to do for the kids! I bet they felt so good walking into school and tackling that test!

    • Christi Fultz says: March 20, 2014 at 12:23 am

      They certainly did. I was happy to share it just for comments like that. It's a great day when we pull together!

  10. Amanda says: March 20, 2014 at 1:05 am

    What an awesome idea! I'm sure your kids loved it! I love that your building was involved; I love to cheer on "my kids" who have moved on.

    Amanda

  11. Carmen Seegmiller says: April 12, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Beautiful and creative ideas! I love that your whole school came together to make it a good experience. Thanks for sharing!

    bookandbliss

Christi Fultz

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As an experienced third grade teacher with a Masters in Elementary Education and K-12 reading license, I know educational resources need to be both inviting and engaging to capture students' interests. I am passionate about creating user-friendly resources to help all students learn while saving valuable prep for teachers. Read More…

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Joy // I shared this in stories, but it deserves a Joy // I shared this in stories, but it deserves a permanent place in my feed too. When do we lose this endless wonder and joy?? These kids are here for a good time all the time. 

They loved a night in a hotel to swim and play. It wasn’t a relaxing experience away with a spa like many of my trips pre-kids, but it was exactly what we needed.
Proof Of Mom // Took the kids to opening day at @k Proof Of Mom // Took the kids to opening day at @kentuckykingdom today. After moving back to Louisville last summer, it’s been fun exploring old places that are “new” to my kids. The new ownership seems to have big plans for the park. Carter is eager for the water rides to open. We’ll be back soon!

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife
Happy Easter // So blessed to be their momma. 🐰 Happy Easter // So blessed to be their momma. 🐰

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom  #locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig
New Dress // This girly of mine is all smiles for New Dress // This girly of mine is all smiles for her new Target dress. I have trouble getting her to look directly at the camera and give me a real smile. Swipe to see her “whole face smile” look. 😆 I am so blessed to be her momma.

Spring break was so much fun. It makes me really excited for summer break with them. This is such a fun age.

#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #girlmama
Spring Break // We had a blast at @greatwolflodge Spring Break // We had a blast at @greatwolflodge for spring break! Carter said his favorite part was a tie between playing and eating… we did a lot of both! This was our first time, but we learned quite a few tips and tricks that I’ll share on the blog soon.

#greatwolflodge #greatwolflodgemasonohio #greatwolflodgeohio #kentuckyblogger #kentuckymom #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #springbreakwithkids #springbreak2022
Spring // We are all smiles over here for warmer w Spring // We are all smiles over here for warmer weather and days spent playing outside. ⁠
⁠
⁠
#kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #kentuckymom ⁠#locallouisville #louisvillelove #mylouisville⁠ #howwelou #louisvilleigers #momsaroundlouisville #momlife #instagrammom #momsofig #girlmama #springinkentucky
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