Surviving standardized testing

How to survive standardized testing time, and get our kids ready!

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There are teachers all over Texas giving final reviews for the STAAR test. And unfortunately, there are kids all over Texas counting down the days and becoming more anxious by the minute. Now I realize standardized testing is not just Texas, but I will be specific to Texas since I am a Texan, (yeehaw! JK we don’t actually say that ha). But, this blog can be useful for any test your children are taking.

This is my daughter’s first year to take the dreaded STAAR test. In Texas that is our standardized test, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. Of course, her anxiety is already through the roof. One of the many things I hate about the STAAR.

As an educator I give a STAAR test, this year I will test my 8th graders in the Reading STAAR so STAAR season has been extremely stressful in our household. Trying to calm my own kiddo and my students, and trying to not play into the fact that my student’s scores could be a direct reflection of my teaching all year.

It’s fine. This is fine. We’re all fine.

With that said I found a few things that are helpful when it comes to helping my daughter through this challenging school time. Small things that will help her anxiety about the test, things that will show her that we as her parents are not defining who she is by this test, and most importantly that regardless of scores we are proud of her.

I hope these few tips and tricks can also help your students feel more prepared and less anxious about their standardized test!

6 things you can do to help your child survive standardized testing time. 

1. Practice.

1. • In Texas, you can access these past STAAR tests on the internet. Just scroll down find your child’s grade, and the subject you want to access.

   • Now from a teacher’s perspective, we sometimes use these released tests in class, and as practice tests throughout the school year. You might check with your child’s teacher to ensure you aren’t pulling the same testing year. 

   • I printed off the Reading and Math old STAAR test and we looked at questions together. During this time she’s able to ask me questions and we can really break apart the questions. The biggest part about the test is figuring out WHAT THE QUESTION IS ASKING.

   • After a while, I’ll have her answer some of the questions on her own and I’ll check them. When she gets them right it’s a real boost of confidence, when she misses them we’re really able to dive into why. (The answers are online also!)

2. Testing goody basket.

• • • I made the below testing basket, my daughter’s love language is positive affirmations and gift-receiving these were the perfect mixtures of both! She absolutely loves when we show our love and appreciation for her! And what kid doesn’t love presents? Here are some examples of things I put in for her:

      • Pop its (the latest fidget toys kids like) she’d been asking for one for a while, and my mom found these cute ones at a shop in Dallas, but you can also get them on amazon.

      • Cute snacks, with clever tags. I decided to just use the clever tags in one card for her to keep later. You can also do individual ones, and there are a ton of cute ones like this one on Pinterest.

      • She’s a typical 9-year-old girl and really likes Starbucks, so a cute Starbucks drink.

      • Smart water (because I thought it was cute, and it’s good for them to have water during testing!)

      • Bath bombs and face masks for her “relaxing night” the night before the test (keep scrolling for info on that)

      • And a “lucky charm” now this can be anything, my kiddo is personally into jewelry so I decided to make it a bracelet.

3. Weekend before.

1. • Try not to do too much the weekend before the STAAR take this time to really focus on your kiddo and their needs.

   • Stray away from screen time if weather permitting go on a walk, just let them talk, and you listen. Even if it isn’t about the test!

   • My daughter is 9 and really into “spa days”. We did our nails, a face mask, and I got her new bath bombs for her bath the night before.

4. Morning of.

• • • As a teacher and mom of 3, our mornings are chaos, and some days we’re barely making it out of the door on time. For the testing day, I will cook breakfast the night before so I can just warm it up for her that morning. 

    • Side note, schools are usually really good about having students eat breakfast before a test, but if your kiddos are picky eaters like mine you want to make sure they have a full belly!

    • This is the one morning that I want to make sure to make peaceful, and relaxing.   

    • Avoid all conflict. My kids love conflict in the morning from not finding their toothbrush to their hair hurting or socks not fitting right. This morning I try to plan for all potential conflicts!

    • Have your kid dress comfortable, they will be testing for a big chunk of the day.

5. Night before. 

1. 1. 1. 1. • Make sure the night before the test is relaxing. Suggest a bath, let them relax, throw in a bath bomb, and make sure they get PLENTY OF SLEEP, they NEED to go to bed early.

            • I do double french braids on my daughter at night and then we don’t have to hassle with hair in the morning just a quick spritz of hairspray and we’re on our way.

            • Have them pick out comfortable clothes the night before to have ready to go.

 

6. Pray 

• • • • • • Finally, we pray about it. My daughter and I ask God to put peace in her heart and mind.

          • We don’t pray for passing scores, we don’t pray for the test to be easy. All we do is pray for God to calm her mind, and bring forth her knowledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, I want to remind parents and their kids that test scores do not define your children or their intelligence. I have seen brilliant kids fail the test, and I have seen struggling kids pass the same test.

I pray that eventually, our system will come up with a new way to test our kid’s “academic readiness” but until that day comes we just have to keep it rollin’!

Don’t forget to read our other blogs for tips and tricks! We’re all in this together mamas! 

XOXO, 

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.