Don't want to bore you with all the reasons so I'll get right down to the post.
Since I've been teaching third grade this year and I looped with my kiddos, we are both facing this whole "state testing" thing for the first time together. In a way it's nice to be able to go through this experience with my class but on the other hand I wish I could answer more questions for them and soothe their little worried minds a little bit better.
So I decided to do a little something to get them to look forward to coming to school each day before the big day. Since I teach in Texas, we will have the dreaded STAAR test on April 22 and 23.
Since the day we got back from Spring Break my team has split our kids based on ability for 2 short 45 minute periods to do Flex Group in order to better prepare each student in both Reading and Math. Last week due to other circumstances we finally got an entire day with our class again and I was blown away by how hard they have been working. So I took their hard work + an idea that I got from Hope King at 2nd Grade Shenanigans at the end of school last year to find a way to get them to keep up their momentum.
Here is what Hope inspired me to do at the end of school last year that she did with her kiddos.
Click on the picture or here to see her post about her balloon incentives.
And in my classroom...
I tried to think of as many free prizes as I could because you know, teacher budget here, but there's a few others in there such as new pencils, colorful pens, bubbles, donuts and a few more, most of which can be covered by one trip to the Dollar Store.
It might be a little late in the game for some friends in other states who have already taken their state tests but if anything maybe it will inspire you for next year. Simple click here or on the picture below to check it out in my Teachers Pay Teachers store to get your copy and get those kids excited about the big day!
Enjoy and Happy Countdown!!!
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