As I know many of you can relate, we are in full “gear up for testing” mode! I have been trying to make reviewing with my kiddos as painless and fun as possible, and so far, so good! Here’s a look into our week and the things we have been doing to get ready, plus some other fun we’ve been squeezing in! (And a freebie at the end!)
1.) Remember when I talked about the crazy scary safety training day we had before break? Well our kiddos had their training today. We went into full barricade and defend lock down mode for two drills this week. My kids did wonderful. We talked for so long after about all different scenarios. It is so sad that they have to be prepared for these types of things, but I was so proud of how they handled it. Here’s my room when they barricaded it:
2.) We talk about test taking strategies ALL year, but we have really vamped up our discussions! Using my “Common Core Review Packet” posters, we discussed strategies and made little foldable booklets. My students LOVED making these! Here are just a few of the so many amazing ones…

As part of my pack of task cards, there are 4 “Brain Break” cards for students to give their brains a rest. They get seriously giddy when they get to a desk with one of these!
4.) Volleyball was fun and productive this week. As usual, my girls were hilarious! I met my girls that I drive to practice at my house after a meeting I had, and found three of them giggling, only to look up and find one of them in a tree in our front yard! Nearly gave me a heart attack, but they are a hoot!
I love your Scoot Smartboard timer! We have started "playing" Scoot a lot in math this year and my kiddos love it! I will have to whip up a cute little timer of my own! Thanks for the idea!
Tara
TeachingwithTWitte
Thanks for the freebie and your foldables look great! We haven't had one of "those" kind of drills yet, but I know it will be scary! I love that you took time to talk about it with them after-they're lucky to have a caring teacher!
Joanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching