Posts tagged "activities"

Test Prep for your Classroom

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Test prep activities for your classroom do not have to be dull and boring.  There are many great resources for test prep including resources guides, games, and critical thinking activities.  While you have been thinking about the big testing days all year long, you are most likely stepping in to high gear now and really focusing on getting ready.  Whether you are getting students ready for statewide standardized tests, quarterly reading and math assessments, or an end of the unit quiz, preparing for the tests is a worthwhile classroom activity.  One of the most important part of test taking is learning how to take a test.  Test prep activities can introduce testing taking skills like learning strategies for answering multiple choice questions and open ended questions.  There are also many great resources that introduce various brainstorming strategies for writing essay responses.  Great test prep material does not replace quality teaching throughout the year, but the right resources can be a great supplement.

Once you choose what materials you want to use in your classroom, you need to find time to incorporate these activities into your daily routine.  Most of these activities are short and easy to add to your day.  Try a multiple choice practice page as a warm-up task when the students come into the classroom at the beginning of the day or after lunch.  Another idea would be to add a game that focuses on test taking strategies into a center or small group activity.  If you know of several students who would benefit from certain activities, pull them and work with them while the rest of the class is doing an independent assignment.  Again by focusing on test taking skills in addition to the subjects being tested, students will gain important life-long skills.

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Critical Thinking Activities

Critical thinking activities can provide differentiated instruction for your learning community, I use critical thinking activities for centers, independent learning projects, and time-fillers.  Not only do critical thinking activities challenge learners, but they also help students prepare for standardized tests and real-world situations.  How do you decide what activities are appropriate for your learners and when can you fit them ?   I strive to let students experience a variety of activities such as Brain Teasers, higher-level games, and critical thinking puzzles.

• Brain Teasers are perfect transitional activities or time fillers.  Students can solve a problem independently or with a partner.  Most problems are short and can be completed in a short period of time.  I would often present the students with a “Problem of the Day” at the beginning of class and then students could think about the solution throughout the day and then we would end the day discussing the solution.

• Higher-level games are a great way to incorporate differentiated learning activities into your classroom setting.  Games allow students to learn from one another and work together to solve problems.  Games can be a great center activity or group activity.

• Critical thinking puzzles are another activity that can be done independently or in a group setting.  Crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, riddles, and other word and number puzzles can be a great challenge for students.  Adults love these types of challenges as well.

Teaching problem-solving strategies, inferring, and drawing conclusions are types of skills taught when participating in critical thinking activities.  All students can benefit from these exercises.  Whether you are looking for engaging activities for your classroom or homeschooling setting, be sure to consider adding critical thinking activities to your resources.  There are many wonderful books and sites dedicated to these types of learning exercises.

What are some of your favorite games and puzzles?  We would love to hear from you.