by Felicia Arnold

Created on: April 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 28, 2009

When I read over this title I chuckle. Having the word "fun" associated with standardized tests might seem a bit curious. However, that is the perfect way to help your students survive well during these dreaded exams.

Whenever I refer to the standardized tests I usually include the word "dreaded". The children find this amusing and at Back to School Night the parents appreciate my honesty. We are compelled to administer the exams, however, I believe if we can provide a comfortable environment in which these exams are taken then we will have done our job well .

From the beginning of the school year we are in preparation for these tests. We learn how to work silently and independently for longer periods of time. This might seem unnecessary, however, during the testing period the children need to work silently and then read on their own when they have completed the exam as they patiently wait for their classmates to finish.

So where is the fun part? I explain that since the exam is in the morning we will create projects in the afternoon They cannot wait to see what we will be working on once they return from lunch. There are various projects to choose from, and I select the projects depending on the nature of the class and the availability of the parents to assist.

Poetry Reading Party - Since we have been reading fun poems all throughout the year, we take one afternoon, ask the parents to provide a fun snack and we read poems. Sometimes we will invite another class to be our audience, at other times the parents join us. Some poems begin with "Homework, oh Homework, I hate you you stink", or "Captain Hook must remember not to scratch his toes". These poems are incredibly funny and the class roars with laughter as they share them after a morning of testing.

Science experiment - There are certain hands-on projects kids love to work on. Our unit on Sound was always a favorite. The students made paper cup telephones and "listened" to the vibrations made. They also loved the part of the lesson where vibrations were noted using a plate filled with water and a large tuning fork. Everybody tried to get someone wet as the vibrating tuning fork struck the water.

Social Studies debate - While studying about our country's separation from King George in the 1700s, the students prepare to debate whether they should revolt or not. One half of the class presents the position of the Patriots in revolt with King. The other half prepare to support King George as Loyalists. When you have several animated debaters, this could be great fun!

3-D triaramas - This is an awesome art project. The children fold a large piece of construction paper to create a triangular stage. On this stage they get to place animals in their native habitat...all props are made using paper, crayons and glue. We then suspend them from the ceiling tiles for an intriguing display.

No matter what we chose to do in the afternoon, the children know that they have earned a fun afternoon after doing the best they can in the morning completing the "dreaded" exams.

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