Even though we have different positions and responsibilities, we are all on the same team. We want the best for the children.

This video is about a softball game, but the amazing sportsmanship shown here reminds me of the way everyone pulled together during testing. Job well done, team!

We begin next week, and I feel very confident that everyone involved is ready…maybe a bit anxious, but definitely well prepared and competent. So, to help alleviate some of that anxiety, I have compiled a list of fun sites on the internet to take your minds off of testing for a few minutes.

I found a stress test on the internet, so please begin here to assess how stressed you may be. If, after taking this very scientific test, you determine that you are moderately stressed, check out some of the following links and have fun!

Virtual Bubble Wrap
Go pop some bubbles. You know you want to!

Cute Overload
cute pictures and videos of a variety of animals

JigZone
If you love jigsaw puzzles, this it the site for you

Virtual Paintball
Whack some smilies in this office, or just “decorate” with the paint

The Red Square
Move the red square so it doesn’t touch any of the blue rectangles

Blobs
Think Chinese Checkers with frogs

Free Rice
Practice your vocabulary skills

Net Disaster
Select a web site and then throw cream pies at it…and other goodies

OK, those links should get you started. I’m sure that you have your own favorite sites that you visit once in a while just for fun. Please share them in the comments so all of us can enjoy them!

So, I’ve decided to make a list of all of the positives, because our students are going to be just fine!

First, the teachers and staff:

• We have amazing teachers who have covered an incredible amount of content during this school year.
• They do whatever is necessary to assure that every student has the opportunity to learn and be successful, including volunteering their own time to stay after school and tutor those who need a little additional help.
• Teachers have been using the laptop carts for both student projects and test review.
• Those same teachers find time to review material from earlier in the year, and in many cases, material from previous years that may be tested.
• Many other staff members will be involved with testing, and everyone is more the willing to assist, even when it disrupts their own schedules.
• Several teachers have shared with me that after they had their students take the practice test on the laptops, they felt much more confident about the testing process itself.
• The guidance counselors and assistant principals have spend countless hours entering information and preparing the staff for testing.

Next, the students:

• Most of our children enjoy working on computers and stay better engaged while on the computer than when using paper and pencil.
• Students have had lots of practice using the laptops and seem quite confident in using the touchpad mice now.
• When using the old bubble sheets, it was easy for a child to mark answers on the wrong line and complete an entire section before they realized they were off one line. This won’t happen with the online tests because the students only see one question and set of answer choices at a time.
• Students have practiced the test format with both guidance counselors and with teachers, and they are using the slash the trash tool and the highlighter appropriately on their practice tests.
• Students understand that only the teacher should click the Submit button, and they will depend on their teacher to double check and make sure they have not skipped any questions.
• Historically, most of our students have taken the SOL testing seriously and have done their very best. They will come through again this year!

And finally, the hardware:

• The TestNav software has been installed on all school laptops as well as on the desktops in third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms.
• We have plenty of computers for an entire grade level to test plus several extras that we can use if necessary.
• We have checked for wireless conflicts in each grade level.
• We have a plan for which computers will be used in each room for each day of testing.
• There will be a technology staff member in each school to troubleshoot any hardware issues that may arise.

So, thanks to the dedication of a wonderful group of teachers and staff, our students will indeed be just fine on “the” tests!

What other positives can you think of to share as we approach these final days before testing begins? Please add them to the comments!