State testing can bring a mix of emotions to both students and teachers. It’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, and worried about these high-stakes tests. On top of that, planning for test prep can bring its own set of challenges. You want to review ALL THE THINGS in a fun and meaningful way…but how? Let’s just say it takes some TEAM-work!
All-Inclusive Math Test Prep Kit
This 4th grade math test prep kit includes ready-to-teach lessons and activities to use the week before testing. It covers almost all 4th grade math standards, especially the more challenging skills that students need to review.
Whole Group Review Lessons
There are 4 interactive PowerPoint lessons to use for whole group instruction. These review lessons focus on heavily tested skills like multi-step word problems, line plots, and fractions. Students can use dry erase boards or math notebooks to follow along.
The 4 PowerPoints cover the following skills:
♦ Day 1: Add & Subtract Mixed Numbers, Line Plots, Fractions & Decimals
♦ Day 2: 2D Figures, Measuring Angles, Units of Measure
♦ Day 3: Multi-Step Word Problems, Place Value Relationships, Patterns
♦ Day 4: Factors & Multiples, Prime & Composite Numbers, Comparing Fractions
TEAM-work Stations
After each mini-lesson, students break into TEAM-work stations that include a combination of independent and partner activities. Their goal is to earn as many check marks as possible by completing the assigned tasks.
An editable spreadsheet is provided to help group students. The letters E, A, and M are moveable, so you can rotate the letters each day and easily move students to a new station.
So, what do TEAM-work stations look like?
⭐:
✎ Your job is to check in with students and help as needed. Your students will be working on challenging concepts, so they will need your help. Because of this, I do not recommend pulling small groups during this time.
✎ When you witness students working hard and staying on task to complete assignments, check the box in their “Teacher Check” column.
✎ In addition, you can use this time to check their work for accuracy using the provided answer keys.
⭐: Self-Checking Boom Cards
This is an independent station. Students have 4 sets of Test Prep Boom Cards on the following topics:
✎ Area and Perimeter
✎ Long Division
✎ Factors and Multiples
✎ Add and Subtract Fractions and Mixed Numbers
⭐: Printable Worksheets (all word problems)
This is another independent station. Students have 4 practice worksheets on the following topics:
✎ Area and Perimeter
✎ Multiplication (1- and 2-digit) and Division
✎ Multiplicative Comparisons
✎ Interpret the Remainder
⭐: Printable Worksheets
This is a partner station. Students have 4 practice worksheets on the following topics:
✎ Add and Subtract Mixed Numbers
✎ Place Value Relationships
✎ Rounding Whole Numbers
✎ Multiply Fractions by Whole Numbers
Test-Taking Strategy Posters
Students can become overwhelmed if there are too many test-taking strategies thrown at them. Therefore, I give students 5 simple tips to help them from start to finish. These posters are included in the test prep kit…but YOU CAN HAVE THEM NOW!
Tips for the Teacher
Tip #1: Set high expectations for your students, and make it clear that rushed and inaccurate work won’t earn them a check mark. I did not check the box if there were two or more errors on one activity. I instead circled the box and had students go back and correct their mistakes. Once the mistakes were fixed, they earned their check.
Tip #2: It’s important to set goals for students to work toward. For instance, if they complete 5 activities, they get a piece of candy. If they complete 10, they get a prize from the treasure chest. If they complete all 16, they get extra recess…whatever works for you! This will help motivate students to persevere when things get tough.
More teacher tips are included to help your TEAM-work stations run smoothly!
You can do this!
I used these math test prep lessons and activities with my 4th graders for many years and can tell you firsthand how well they work to prepare students! Grab this 4th Grade Math Test Prep Kit now and let the fun begin!
For more information on this test prep kit, check out Episode 32 of Elementary Math Chat!
I wish you all the best as you head into state testing. No matter the results, you are a ROCK STAR teacher!
Until next time,
Happy Teaching!
P.S. If you’re interested in even more test prep Boom Cards, my TEST PREP BUNDLE covers all 13 units of 4th grade math. You can also read this BLOG POST for more info!
