Perseverance as summer approaches!

This time of year is all about testing, field days, and more testing. I know this time of year I start to lapse on my training with Brooklyn and the dogs get away with a lot.

This time of year I love to do lessons on perseverance (although I still need spell check to help me with that word after many years of teaching.). My favorite book this time of year is "The Three Ninja Pigs" by Corey Rosen Schwartz. I love it so much I've blogged about it many times . I love it so much that I created a packet designed to help teachers and counselors tie it into testing, perseverance/resiliency , team work, problem solving, cultural appreciation, and of course CCSS.  Also, you can connect this book to bullying (link at the end of the blog post).

So here is my latest packet for a book you all NEED to have on your book shelves:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Three-Ninja-Pigs-Activity-Guide-a-lesson-on-perseverance-test-prep-and-more-1792121

Are you ready for testing season?

I know I'm not!!

It happens every year, yet every year I think wait it can't be testing time already. What gets me through this time is the hilarious http://www.loveteachblog.com/ and teaching some of my favorite topics like stress reduction.

Here are a few parent resources to help you get ready for testing season.

First,
I created this brochure for parents on tips on help their child deal with stress.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stress-Management-Tips-For-Parents-To-Help-Their-Child-1744182

Next, I created a few testing tips for parents that you can also use in your classroom.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Test-Taking-Tip-Packet-For-Parents-1743462

This packet has everything you need to host a parent workshop. It's full of ideas, handouts, and games parents can play with students. I love playing the Let's Rock (roll and respond) game with my 3rd-5th graders. It's a great way to review our lessons on test prep and let them have fun during this stressful time.

This packet includes a variety of testing resources for parents and teachers. 

Parent Packet- This packet was designed to host a parent workshop. It includes parent conversation cards to help improve parent/student communication, a family game night roll and respond game, a resource page, and three pages of tips for before, during, and after the test.

Parent Brochure- Designed to be copied double sided to create a one page handout for parents. It includes tips for before, during, and after the test as well as additional resources.

5 Star Breathing- An activity for parents and teachers to practice with their students before and during the test to help reduce test stress.

What are your favorite testing resources?

Test Ready

This week I collaborated with our school librarian to help our kids with last minute test prep.

First we read "Testing Miss Malarkey" with our older students. I loved trying to explain to them what a ditto was.

We also read "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day" with our younger students.

Next we had some fun practicing some "brain breaks" we created for all the teachers.
This was a great TPT purchase I encourage all teachers to buy:

Check out the entire project here: http://third-grades-a-charm.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

To end I got to put my yoga certification to use by putting the students through a guided relaxation exercises and basic stretches. We even had some fall asleep!