5 Resources That Make Elementary Math Test Prep Fun
If you’re an upper elementary math teacher who not only hates proctoring standardized tests, but also dreads using the monotonous test review provided by the district, I have the perfect math practice resources for you!
I hated using the standard test prep - give students a review question, then go over it. Rinse and repeat.
The students were bored. Heck, I was bored.
Even worse, the kids who needed the review the most hardly engaged with the questions, so the test prep wasn’t particularly helpful.
So I created my own math test review and gamified it.
My test prep resources are both heavy on content review and fun to play. Also, they are terrific tools for teachers to determine where students need more support.
Review for FAST or other State Tests
To create the resources, I began by analyzing both the Florida standards and the state test, now called FAST. Florida uses the BEST standards, but they are very similar to Common Core State Standards. In my analysis, I found a few skills moved around in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, but not many.
Test Review that Reduces Test Anxiety
One reason students get test anxiety is the constant reminders that they have to do well on the test. These constant reminders just add pressure and create test anxiety, which in turn causes students to not do as well as they could.
Another reason kids get nervous for tests is because they don’t know what to expect. Think about a time you were asked to do something you weren’t sure about - like Halloween parties where you have to touch things while blindfolded. You get anxious because you don’t know what you are touching. If you knew, you wouldn’t have the same reaction.
The same with testing. The more students know what to expect, the less nerve-wracking it is. That’s why I created my games with questions written in formats used on the state test, as well as a practice test. The more familiar kids are with what they will see on test day, the less anxious they will be.
Targeted Review Games
For grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, there are bundles of five test prep resources that target grade-level standards. Teachers can use the resources on a review day or spread them out over time.
Some ideas for organizing your test review:
Hold a game day and have students move through centers - I recommend three or four students in each group. You may need to have two groups at each activity, so be sure you have enough Jenga and Kerplunk games (if you choose to use them.)
Spread the games out and play one each day. The downside of this is you will need more copies of each game. Again, three or four students work best in each group.
Use the practice test first at least a few weeks before state testing, then use the results to inform your small group lessons.
Math Practice Test
“Great test prep and review for the home stretch!” - Lacy H.
This resource includes a practice test that is very similar to what students will take on test day.
You can use this practice test in different ways:
As a practice test, mimicking the test times and formats of test day.
As a pre-test to see which concepts students need to review. If done early enough, you can pull small groups of students who need to practice the same skill.
As a teaching tool, working with students to discuss how to take a test and demonstrating test-taking strategies.
Game Show & Practice Test
“My students loved the format of this game and it was so easy to prep! The questions included lots of higher level thinking and engaged them the entire time!” - Rebekah B.
Everyone loves game shows! This one uses questions in test-style as much as possible (not Jeopardy-style.) Each game has five categories with five questions and a bonus question.
You can use this as a whole group activity, breaking your class into teams. You could also use it with small groups.
I included the game questions in a printable PDF. You can:
send a copy home with absent students so they can still review.
have students answer the questions first, then do the game for greater participation from your reluctant learners.
give the printed questions later to see what students have retained.
Jenga Review Game
“We did this activity right before state testing as review and it was perfect! The kids were very engaged and got in great last minute review! Thank you!” - Katie P.
Each grade has practice that focuses on grade-level skills. As 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade standards differ, each grade level uses categories that match its standards.
The games include six categories with ten questions each - enough to play two or three games.
I used the questions with Jenga, but my friend just used them as printable worksheets for warmups, etc. To play with Jenga, I divided the blocks into six piles, then colored the ends to match the categories (each is labeled a color.) To pull a block, students have to answer a question in that color category.
I also included printable answer keys that students can use to check specific answers, so you can pull a small group during this time without being interrupted with questions.
Kerplunk Review Game
“Just got it set up today and had a once through, they can’t wait to add it to centers next week!” - Alana S.
Each Kerplunk resource includes two game sets of 30 questions (3 categories with 10 questions in each.) Students can often get two games from one set of worksheets, because they do not use all the questions before finishing a game.
I used this resource with Kerplunk, but, as with the previous resource, it could be used as stand-alone worksheets or even with another game. The topics are color-matched to Kerplunk’s sticks, and to pull a stick, students have to answer a question in that color category.
Card Game
“I use this with my gifted students and it is the right amount of challenge for them.” - Angela C.
The fifth resource in the test prep bundle is a card game that focuses on a grade level skill. The card game topics are Quadrilaterals, 2D Figures, and Order of Operations.
These activities could be used by multiple grades. The card games from previous grades could be used as review or support activities. Also, they make great early finisher activities or as centers.
Ready for Kids to Beg You to Review?
“Super fun way to practice all the math skills from the year. They can be used as stations throughout the year or as review activities for testing at the end of the year.” - Theodora M.
With these resources, your students will be excited to play review! They’ll be so busy having fun, they won’t even realize they are doing test prep.
Even better, while the games are competitive, they are also low risk, which encourages all students to participate.