Test Chants and Exercises

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Test Chant

From Kathy Gaji, a third grade teacher at Brookside Elementary in Binghamton, New York:

"I have a chant that we do before we take a test, whether one of the state tests or a weekly spelling test, to relax my students. It's a little silly, but the kids do ask for it if I forget.

We're going to take a test [clap, clap]
We're going to do our best [clap, clap]
We'll do the ones we know
And we'll try on the rest [clap, clap].

We'll work very carefully [hold up one finger, preparing to count to three]
We'll work very thoughtfully [hold up another finger]
We'll work very neatly [hold up a third finger]
And then we'll be THROUGH [say with emphasis, cross hands in front of you and pull them apart and down].

We're going to take a test [clap, clap]
We're going to do our best [clap, clap]
We'll do the ones we know
And we'll try on the rest [clap, clap].

[chant softly and fade away]:
We won't hurry. We won't worry. We won't hurry. We won't worry...."

2. Test Exercises

From Mary E. Henderson, a fourth grade teacher at Wildflower School in Goodyear, Arizona:

"I use brain activities during major testing times. I start by placing a sheet of blue paper the size of the students' desk on their desks and a peppermint candy. The students don't have to eat it if they choose not to. They may smell it or eat it. Before we start the testing, I have each of the students get a drink of water. Then they all do their brain exercises. They stand beside their desks and do lazy 8's, crossovers and what I call the twisted pretzel. These ideas came from a workshop about helping disruptive students and right and left brain functions. My students respond to them, and I've explained to them that if they get off focus or feel a need to move during the test, they can easily do these movements while seated at their desk. We do these exercises before most tests in my room from the beginning of the school year to the end. It doesn't take them long before they are reminding me that they haven't done their exercises. This routine takes about 5-10 minutes from start to finish."
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3. Star of the Week

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge from J_tpalmer:

"Does anyone have any great ideas for star student or star of the week in third grade? I am looping and most students will already know each other. Last year we did a questionnaire, sharing time, and a poster with compliments. We need some fresh new ideas!"
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