Surviving the Testing Season

Tis' the season to begin test prep...falalalala... Teachers across the country will ring in the New Year by gearing up for standardized tests. No matter how we feel about, it's a fact of school life. How do we keep our sanity, teach our curriculum, and keep our kids motivated during the test prep season?

Remember the Reason
When the stress of the test creeps up on you - remember why you are in the classroom. You are there to teach children the curriculum. You are not there to teach a test. The test is an assessment of skills and knowledge. Children who know the curriculum should do fine on the test. Don't throw out best practice for the almighty test. Instead, embrace best practice based on current research and theory, and keep the test prep in perspective.
A Teacher's Guide to Standardized Reading Tests: Knowledge is Power

Teach the Test as a Reading Genre
Standardized tests qualify as their own genre. Familiarize children with the format of the test and how to navigate through it. A couple of weeks of analysis and practice should help your students get comfortable with the format without the stress. Give your students your best tips, tricks, and strategies for tackling the test without going overboard. Too many "strategies" can defeat the purpose and overwhelm your students. Keep it simple.
Test Talk: Integrating Test Preparation into Reading Workshop

Motivate Your Students to Rise to the Challenge
A lot rides on student's scores these days, so it is necessary for students to take the test seriously and do their best. Let your students know that it is important, and you expect them to rise to the occassion. You must also let them know you have confidence in their ability. Kids need to feel that someone believes they can achieve their goal. Feed positive energy to your students by letting them know that you believe in them and know they will do fine. Some schools go so far as to hold pep rallies and give out incentives for strong performance as a whole. If you are not comfortable with this type of motivation, then stick to sharing lots of positive thoughts.
Motivating Students and Teachers in an Era of Standards

Take Time for Recess
Kids get stressed out just like adults. Don't overload your students with test prep and homework. Give them some down time whether it's a night off from homework, extra recess, or game time in the classroom. Kids need a chance to blow off some steam (and so do you), relax, and just have some fun. Too much work and stress can cause kids to literally make themselves sick. The season may be time for getting serious, but kids need a chance to just be kids.
Elementary School Recess: Selected Readings, Games and Activities for Teachers and Parents

Take Time for Yourself
A stress out teacher equals stressed out kids. If your nerves are raw and you are feeling grumpy, it's time to take time for yourself. Leave the papers at school and go get a massage, or a facial, or a footsie rub. Take in a funny movie or inspirational teacher movie, have a glass of wine, go out to eat at your favorite restuarant, and spend some time with your family and friends. If you want your students to chill out then you've got to model being chilled. A chilled out, happy environment makes for better testing conditions.