Our Favorite FUN Test Prep

While I deeply believe in the need for ongoing formative assessment- the kind that gives me information to drive my instruction- I just CAN NOT STAND the "big" tests that we give to such little children these days.  I feel like I am being asked to give my second graders the SATs or the LSATs every quarter.  It hurts my heart.  And while I refuse to make a big deal about any kind of assessment with my students (the tests only get a quick mention here or there) I do know that if they aren't thoroughly prepared it will be a very stressful experience.  So I know that I do need to do some "test prep" with my students.  I need to make sure that information is fresh in their minds and that they are very familiar with the "testing language" that they are going to see.  I am always looking for developmentally appropriate, fun ways to do this.  (Please send me your great ideas!  I would love to hear them!)

Recently, I stumbled across my favorite "test prep" game yet and I wanted to share it with you today.  (If this post sounds a little like a commercial it is just because I am THAT excited.  This has been in no way sponsored...I just love, love, love this game!)

Have you heard of Kahoot?  This week we were "Kahoot-ing" like crazy!  I was introduced to Kahoot  by one of my daughter's high school teachers.  At Open House she asked all of the parents to take out our cell phones to experience the vocabulary "warm up" she uses with the class each day.  It was so cool!

If you have never done it, you have got to try it out!  You go to Create.Kahoot.it to set up a free account and to make up your own quiz game.  (You can also search for games that others have already made.)  Then, when you want to play you will sign into your account and click "play this kahoot" and a code will come up on the screen for the players to enter.  Your students go to kahoot.it and enter the game pin.  

Then, the Kahoot is played like a gameshow.  It is SO much fun.  A question comes up on the SmartBoard (or wherever you are projecting) and each student or team rushes to answer.  They receive points based on correct answers and speed.  

You can play on any device that has wifi.  (We used iPads and desktop computers.  My daughter's class uses iPads and cell phones.)  The first time that we played I only had 5 iPads for the class.  That time we played in teams, which worked out fine.  After that, I began having some students work on desktop computers and borrowing some iPads from other teachers.  (We have 5 iPads and 5 desktops per classroom at my school.)  However, the time that every student had their own device, the wifi gave us trouble and about half of the devices wouldn't work... so there is always a "real life" factor to be ready for... My kids enjoy playing so much that it isn't really a big problem.  They know to just join the person or team next to them if their device isn't working.

When I say they love it, it is the understatement of the year.  They go CRAZY for it.  They beg and plead for it.  I made several Kahoot quizzes to review for our science common assessments.  I knew they would enjoy it, but the engagement and joy is really unbelievable.  They beg for it ALL THE TIME.  

I was really amazed with how much science review we were able to get done in this format.  The kids were SO motivated by the game that I would find them talking about the questions at lunch and dismissal so they would be "ready" for the next time we played.  (I found that playing the same game several times motivated them to study and/or learn the answers that they got wrong the first time.   I made several different versions of the same quiz and we played each one several times.)

Now, it is not always a calm activity... In fact, it never is.  It is almost impossible to keep the cheering quiet... but the engagement and amount of content we are able to cover makes the noise worth it (most of the time).  

I have heard that Quizziz.com is similar.  I haven't used this one yet but I am going to try it this week.  From what I hear, the difference is that students are answering different questions at different times.  I think the idea is that they are working more independently and not looking at someone else's answer.  I am thinking it might also be a bit quieter... I will let you know ;)

One of my students also mentioned that her dad (who is a 3rd grade teacher) found a SmartBoard game that is similar... I need to find out more about that.  Have you found any great games to use for test prep?  I would love to hear about them!