Do your students love candy?!? I have never had a class of students that don’t love candy, but with candy comes the sugar and we all know what it is like to be with 20+ kids that are full of sugar! Not a good idea unless it’s right at the end of the day and you can send them home to their parents! All jokes aside, I have found that when giving my students candy or sugar, I need to be strategic AND they don’t care how much you give them just as long as you are giving them candy. So, I am going to share with you one of my favorite test prep activities that does involve a little sugar, but it is sure to keep your student’s engaged during test prep season!
I love task cards and task cards have become one of my favorite test prep activities over the years! I know you are probably thinking “my student’s are sick of task cards at this point of the year” or “I have already used all of my task cards”. Yes, I used to think the same UNTIL I added a little candy into our test prep time and decided it was okay to use task cards that I had used earlier in the year.
First, I gather about a couple different sets of math task cards that I know were more difficult for my students (mine were normally multi-step, fraction, multiplication and division). I will give these task cards from earlier in the year (they won’t remember the answers!) to different students based on what they need additional practice with or need review before our state end of the year test. Now, I have also given my student’s a choice some years and let them choose what they feel they need more practice with before the state test. Then, during our test prep week, we spend 2-3 hours with these task cards (not all at once!). My students work on solving the task cards and after every 5 task cards they solve, they bring them to me to check their answers (tip: print out answer keys for these task cards ahead of time). For every task card they get the correct answer, they earn a M&M or skittle (yes, just one). If they do not get the answer correct, I give them a chance to back to their seat to resolve it and normally give them a little hint on what they need to do. If they do not get any correct, but still show their work, I still give them 1-2 M&Ms or skittles because they have shown their work and if you are an upper elementary teacher, you understand how important that is.
As I am checking their task cards, I am able to easily jot down students who may need additional support in a certain area to pull for small group practice later in the week. Doesn’t sound too difficult or too much work, right?
Another one of my favorite ideas for math test prep is end of the year math centers! I have created 10 end of the year math centers that are minimal prep on the teacher and include activities that will keep your students engaged! Click the button below to check out my 4th Grade End of the Year Review Math Centers.
Love that you let them choose some of the cards! Great idea!