State testing brings about so many different feelings across grade levels. It's important to have fun activities planned once your kiddos finish up their tests. The main idea of these activities should focus on keeping your students from feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
It's important to look for different activities that can be done silently, aloud, or together. Thankfully, the teachers here at Teaching Expertise have created an essential list of 30 after-testing activities that can be used in any classroom with little to no prep!
1. Piñata Coping
I absolutely love this idea, considering I know middle schoolers' stress after a long day of testing. This not only provides a space for them to release any negative feelings but will also help them to find different ways of coping with stress.
Learn More: TikTok
2. Do Not Open
Give your students something to look forward to and think about. The week of testing is stressful, but using a surprise box and providing clues daily is a great way to distract and keep students excited. The best news is that this works for any grade!
Learn More: TikTok
3. After Test Drawing
Middle schoolers love a good challenge. Therefore any challenging activity will be perfect for them. This project specifically will challenge your current grade level, along with others. Using almost practically no materials (besides paper and colored pencils), this fun resource can be created by every student in the class.
Learn More: TikTok
4. Teach Me to Dance
I absolutely love this idea. I haven't yet used it in my classroom, but I will definitely incorporate it into next year's plans. After a tough day, week, or month of testing, this is sure to make you and your students laugh and have fun!
Learn More: TikTok
5. What Did You Learn This Year?
End-of-year tests require teachers to take down their bulletin boards or cover them up. This may make the classroom sad and a bit uninviting. But, with this simple after-testing activity, students not only get to summarize what they learned this year but also play a huge role in redecorating the classroom!
Learn More: TikTok
6. "You're Cringy"
The word "Cringy" has literally become one of the most common phrases heard echoing throughout the hallways and recess time. Take a break from routine after this year's test and allow your students to point out your cringiest habits.
Learn More: TikTok
7. Extra Recess
Undoubtedly, our favorite teachers take us out for extra time on the playground. It's totally OK to be that teacher and allow your students to enjoy some recess time after testing. Testing is absolutely exhausting, and kids need that extra time of fresh air with friends.
Learn More: TikTok
8. Dance Party
Okay, a dance party harshly depends on your students. Middle schoolers may feel a bit uncomfortable having a dance party, but if you have a classroom community that loves this kind of thing, then a classroom disco ball and dance party is totally the way to go.
Learn More: TikTok
9. Slime Time
Spend your class time after testing with some slime therapy. It's a challenging time for students, and any activities that will help eliminate that test anxiety are perfect. Creative ideas like making some slime and playing with it are perfect for a week of happy teaching after a big test (for teachers, just as much as students).
Learn More: TikTok
10. Brain Connection
Fantastic ideas like this are amazing for giving your kiddos a break during and after testing. It's simple and requires no materials. Help your students focus their attention on something totally away from testing while connecting their brain waves with other classmates.
Learn More: TikTok
11. Movie Time
It's important to remember that your middle schoolers are still kids. Bring them back and help to make more connections to their childhood with some childhood cartoons. Give your students options or surprise them with a cartoon that you know will help calm them while also engaging them.
Learn More: TikTok
12. Let Students Build
Let your middle school students build! Use Jenga blocks, Magnetiles, or whatever other resource types you have lying around. Your students will love having the freedom and relaxation to build towers and other cool gadgets in between and after testing.
Learn More: Mrs. Neidig’s Art Classes (Instagram)
13. Sign My Shoes
This idea is super cute! Middle school students will love writing on your shoes. It'll be special for them, and it'll be a nice little thing to look forward to at the end of the test. It's also a keepsake for you; remember all of your students.
Learn More: Erin | elementary librarian (Instagram)
14. Glow Party
From elementary students all the way through high schoolers, everyone will appreciate a glow party. It's super fun to incorporate a testing party into your classroom. Endless resources can be used for review or tasks during the party.
Learn More: Miss Lohse (Instagram)
15. Beach Ball Questions
Standardized testing can be overwhelming for everyone. Beach ball questions are fun, engaging, and physical! Get your kiddos up and moving while also communicating with each other after a long day of testing.
Learn More: Pinterest
16. Encouraging Bookmarks
Calling all classroom and art teachers! Creating these encouraging bookmarks is a great way to provide students with coloring after the test and motivational support. Let your students choose their own or match them up accordingly to each student.
Learn More: Pinterest
17. Would You Rather?
This digital activity is perfect for any grade. A digital game specifically designed to engage teens and preteens. Resource types like this are great for at-home learning or classroom learning. They're perfect for after-testing because they will push students out of the testing bubble and maybe even provoke some laughs.
Learn More: Scoop of Awesome
18. Yoga
Have students follow along with this yoga video or break it down and create a google slides & PowerPoint presentation. Students will love following along with you or the yoga instructor. If you want to take kids outside, simply print the presentation file. Laminate for later use if you're feeling motivated!
Learn More: Yoga With Adriene
19. Agamograph Project
Trying to fill big chunks of time in between tests? Not ready to teach your kiddos more curriculum yet? No worries! This Agamograph project can be completed in bits of time, which is perfect for testing weeks. Just pause and play the video accordingly.
Learn More: Eanna Merighi
20. Play Parachute Games
Remember playing parachute games in the elementary classroom? Try it with your middle schoolers! You'll be surprised as to how much fun they'll have. An afternoon of happy teaching starts with a little parachute fun after testing days.
Learn More: CATCH Health
21. Continue This Story...
Creative writing helps to engage different parts of the brain, meaning it's the perfect activity after a state test. This can be easily used as an interactive writing lesson as a class rather than just individual students.
Learn More: John Spencer
22. Clean Up The Room
Cleaning can definitely help to ease some stress. Using a checklist for cleaning the classroom will help to give you and your kiddos a little insight into everything that still needs to be done. Cut this up and assign different jobs to each group or individual student.
Learn More: Classroom Nook
23. White Board Puzzles
Enhance your student's critical thinking skills with a whiteboard puzzle like this. Puzzle-building activities challenge and relax the mind all in one. Although this is said to be a "puzzle of the week," it might be beneficial to have different puzzle stations after testing for students to work on individually or together.
Learn More: Math Equals Love
24. Tangram Cut Ups
Tangrams are super fun and will definitely challenge your middle schoolers. Add the extra step of having students cut out the pieces and create a picture. This digital version is a great option if you're not up for printing and creating.
Learn More: Thought Co.
25. Stress Reduction Activities
It's quite evident that high-stakes testing definitely adds stress to teachers and students alike. Have your class practice different stress management strategies in order to cope with the stress that may come into their lives. Before and after testing is the perfect time to incorporate a few.
Learn More: Edutopia
26. Stress Relieving Origami
Integrating art activities into the class after a test will benefit your student's focus. Creating these stress-relieving origami pieces is exactly what you and your students could be looking for. Creating them is stress relieving, and playing them is even better!
Learn More: Sree's origami
27. Create Appreciation Letters
Teaching students to show appreciation is something they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Use the time after test-taking to create your very own appreciation letters to teachers and to all of the staff in school. Help your students to make everyone feel valued.
Learn More: Birthday Wishes
28. Read Alouds
Students of all ages will appreciate a read-aloud. Honestly, from 4th grade all the way through 12th grade, students love to listen to teachers read. It's relaxing and just gives them a little break. There are tons of books that middle schoolers will love; check out these 30 book series options for middle schoolers.
Learn More: Edutopia
29. Build an Actual Puzzle
Find a relaxing puzzle that will keep your middle schoolers engaged while also helping them to relieve any leftover stress and anxiety from tests and the high workload. This will help with many skills outside of what's expected to be learned in the middle school classroom.
Learn More: Amazon
30. STEM Challenge Workshop
Set up STEM challenge stations throughout your classroom. Your students will love the extra challenge and the distraction from whatever feelings they may have after hours of testing. Provide a choice board for students, or choose for them.
Learn More: The Science Factory
24 DIY activities for middle school students