Coaching Students Through Test Prep

Read time: 4 minutes

Remember last week when we talked about turning our classrooms into practice fields? Well, now it's time for the fun part: learning to be the coach your students need (And yes, that includes celebrations)! As we edge closer to STAAR^® season, let's talk about how to help our students own their learning journey while keeping those stress levels in check.

A Quick Playbook Review

Just like any good coach, we know that practice makes progress (Notice I didn't say "perfect" – we covered that last time!). But here's a secret many of us miss: what happens AFTER practice is just as crucial as the practice itself. Let's explore how to make those post-assessment moments pure gold for learning.

Becoming the Coach Your Students Need

Here's something I learned the hard way...Testing is actually a genre of literacy, and our students deserve to know the rules of the game. Would we send a basketball team onto the court without explaining the rules? Of course not! So why do we sometimes do that with testing?

Here's what worked in my classroom:

The Post-Game Analysis (aka Reflection Time)

• Use "exam wrappers" (A fancy term for guided reflection questions) to help students understand their thinking.
  • You can find free and low-cost gems online or easily create your own
• Have quick one-on-one conferences to discuss patterns (Both victories and areas for growth)
• Let students copy, analyze and redo their most-missed questions (This is where the real learning happens!)

STAAR MASTER^® Interactive facilitates these essential discussions by providing immediate feedback to students and allowing educators to pinpoint gaps and misunderstandings. More importantly, the platform's practice opportunities give students a safe space to build confidence and identify areas where they need more support.

Celebration Station (Because Growth Deserves a Happy Dance!) 

Now for my favorite part – celebration! And I'm not just talking about test day success. Here's how to build a culture of celebration in your classroom:

Small Wins That Deserve High-Fives:

• Mastering a tricky concept? That's worth a celebration!
• Improved confidence on a specific question type? Ring that victory bell!
• Supporting a classmate's learning? Team spirit award!

💡Quick Tip: Create a "Growth Wall" in your classroom. Use sticky notes or a simple chart to help students visualize their journey. Even small improvements deserve recognition!

Making It Work in Your Classroom

Here's a simple way to start tomorrow:

1. Set aside 5 minutes for reflection after each practice session
2. Use structured reflection questions to help students identify their strengths and growth areas (Exam Wrapper)
   • What did you find challenging? Easy? Interesting?
   • What are you most proud of about your performance?
   • What are two things you learned or would do differently?
3. Create a simple celebration ritual (As dorky as it might seem, my students loved the "Progress Parade" – a quick lap around the room when someone conquered a challenging concept or met a growth goal!)

Your Invitation to Celebrate

Before we wrap up, here's something to consider: When was the last time you celebrated YOUR teaching wins? Take a moment to reflect on how far you've come this semester. Maybe you:

• Tried a new teaching strategy
• Helped a struggling student find his/her confidence
• Simply showed up with patience and persistence (That counts, too!)

The STAAR MASTER^® community would love to hear your celebration stories. What small victories are happening in your classroom? How are you helping students own their learning journey?

Looking Ahead

Remember: The STAAR^® test isn't the final chapter in your students' story – it's just one way they get to show off their skills. By coaching them through the process, celebrating their growth, and using tools like STAAR MASTER^® Interactive to support practice and reflection, you're teaching them something far more valuable than test-taking strategies. You're showing them how to be active participants in their own learning journey.

And that's worth celebrating! 🎉