Test Preparation Activities

This product is a gallery walk of significant events related to the 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Test. Included is a worksheet with 52 questions and 52 Event Cards. This activity can be a traditional gallery walk with placards spread around the room or can be done on the computer with programs such as Nearpod and Google Classroom. An answer key is included.

This product pairs great with the 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Quick Facts Study Sheet.

8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Quick Facts Study Sheet

Transform STAAR writing preparation into an exhilarating adventure with our "ECR Relay Race" resource! Designed specifically for grades 6-8, this product turns the daunting task of essay writing into a collaborative, fun, and competitive experience. Dive into high-engaging topics while practicing informational, argumentative, and correspondence writing skills critical for STAAR success.

✅ Engaging Topics for Every Genre:

• Informational ECRs: Explore Texas Rodeo, Texas State Fair, and NASA's monumental contributions.
• Argumentative ECRs: Delve into captivating debates like Selena vs. Beyonce, Roblox vs. Minecraft, and Messi vs. Ronaldo.
• Correspondence ECR: Address real-world issues in letters concerning Ocean pollution, VR headsets in education, and Sports accessibility for students with disabilities.

✅ Collaborative Learning: Encourage teamwork with relay races that make writing a shared journey. Students can work together or individually, pushing them to think critically and write effectively.

✅ Interactive Progress Tracking: Watch as students advance their stick figure characters across the board with each completed paragraph, igniting a sense of accomplishment and urgency.

✅ Comprehensive ECR Refresher: Kickstart your classes with 15 slides designed to refresh students on ECR essentials, providing a solid foundation for success.

✅ Inclusive Support Materials: Includes sentence stems for each writing genre, aiding students in structuring their thoughts and arguments clearly and cohesively.

✅ Fun, Engaging, and Educational: Our resource is not just about STAAR prep; it's about creating memorable learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and a love for writing.

Prepare your students for STAAR writing with a resource that’s as educational as it is exhilarating. Make test preparation something students look forward to with our ECR Relay Race. Perfect for teachers seeking innovative, engaging ways to enhance writing skills and STAAR readiness.

Master Present Tense with Low-Prep, Engaging Grammar Lessons – For All Learners!

Perfect for Grades 1-5, this print-and-go resource helps both native English speakers and ESL/EAL learners confidently master Present Simple and Continuous Tenses. With clear explanations and interactive exercises, it’s ideal for teachers seeking a time-saving, curriculum-aligned solution that supports independent learning.

What’s Included?

✏️ Print Materials: Worksheets, Answer Keys

**What’s Inside?
**✔️ Present Simple & Continuous Explanations

✔️ Verb Agreement Exercises

✔️ Fill-in-the-Blanks Activities

✔️ Sentence Reordering Tasks

✔️ Negative & Interrogative Practice

✔️ Present Simple vs. Continuous Comparisons

✔️ Quizzes 
✔️ Answer Keys

**
Why Teachers Love It:**

✏️ No Prep

✏️ Classroom-Tested

✏️ Versatile Resource
✏️ Aligned with Common Core, TEKS, and UK National Curriculum

When to Use:

✅ Grammar Lessons
✅ Independent Practice
✅ Literacy Centers
✅ Homework
✅ Early Finishers
✅ Sub Plans

Skills Focused:

✔️ Present Simple & Continuous Usage
✔️ Subject-Verb Agreement
✔️ Sentence Construction
✔️ Negative & Interrogative Forms
✔️ Editing & Self-Assessment
✔️ Independent Grammar Mastery

Curriculum Alignment

**
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)**

• L.1.1-L.5.1: Master English grammar and verb tense consistency.
• L.1.3-L.5.3: Use conventions to enhance meaning.
• W.1.5-W.5.5: Revise and edit for clarity and tense accuracy.

**
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)**

§110.3-§110.7 (Grades 1-5):

• • Develop and revise drafts with consistent verb tense.
  • Apply proper grammar and verb usage in writing and speech.

**
UK National Curriculum (Years 1-5)**

• Writing Composition: Plan and draft using correct present tense.
• Grammar and Punctuation: Use present simple and continuous accurately.
• Reading Comprehension: Analyze how tense affects meaning.

Bonus Benefits:

✅ Boosts Confidence

✅ Builds Mastery
✅ Proven Success

Extra Perks:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We Strive for 5 Stars! Leave a review to earn TeachShare credits.
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YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE:

• Past Simple Review, Practice & Assessment - TASTER to this resource! 
• Mastering Vocabulary & Descriptive Writing Essentials
• Formal Letter Writing Pack 

Help your students master tenses with ease—add this comprehensive grammar resource to your toolkit today!

RACE Constructed Response Strategy Test Prep Close Reading & Writing Prompts will guide your students through the process of answering constructed questions during state testing. It encourages students to provide complete responses to academic questions.

It supports students in building the necessary to provide evidence and support them. It provides a simple and structured framework to use when responding to a question or prompt. Help them develop their critical thinking and writing skills by encouraging them to restate and answer the question and support their answers with the text evidence and their reasoning.

The first read explains the RACE Strategy to simplify and clarify steps and use of the RACE strategy. The second passage is about a boy getting ready for state testing. Text-dependent questions for each passage are included.

Charts and mazes are included. Students read each statement and decide which part of the RACE strategy to use. All answers must be correct to complete the maze and reach the end.  

Included with this 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Test Prep Pack:

⭐ 2 Reading Passage (2 Versions for each Low & High)

⭐ 2 Text-dependent questions Worksheets

⭐ 2 Mazes

⭐ 2 Open-Ended Questions (Pick 2)

⭐ RACE Charts for Teachers & Students

⭐ Answer Keys (MAZES)

Why Your Classroom Needs This:

⭐ Simple and Ready: Say goodbye to prep time with materials that are ready when you are.

⭐ Reading Success: Watch your students' understanding and grades take flight as they master the RACE Strategy.

⭐ Tailored to Your Curriculum: Everything you need for a full verb tense lesson is right at your fingertips.

⭐ Aligned with Excellence: Rest easy knowing the activities meet the reading Standards.

⭐ Interactive Fun: Students identify the part of the RACE Strategy to complete the maze and reach the end.  

⭐ A Maze Perfect Summary: The final artwork is a testament to their skill, making learning visible and vibrant.

This resource: 
⭐ Alignes with Common Core Standards
⭐ Detailed answer keys for easy assessment only Maze
⭐ Printer-friendly design
⭐ Reinforce essential ELA topics

Ready to transform your reading lessons and empower your students? 
Don't delay – unlock the potential of your classroom with our Test Prep Packet.

You can find other helpful activities :
⭐ Color By Number Bundle
⭐ Muslim Heritage Month
⭐ Winter Close Reading Packet
⭐ November Holidays ELA Packet
⭐ Self-Checking Google Sheet Bundle 3rd-5th Grade
⭐ The Girl & The Bicycle Read Aloud Unit Lesson Plans, Slides & Activities
⭐ Valentine's Day Writing Activity Digital & Printable
⭐ Valentine's Day Math Activities Digital & Printable
⭐ Behavior Management | The Diamond Trail Challenge

⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏⤏

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Literacy Tales
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Are you looking for a fun way to do testing treats or other after state testing activities? Try making a State Testing Surprise Box! This free label will help make your box stand out and make your students wonder what's inside!

Have your box dropped off a couple of days before testing. Once testing is over, students get to see what's inside the surprise box!

This set comes with:

• 2 Labels that say "Do Not Open until testing is over" (elephant & detective)
• both in color and black & white
• Editable

Each poster is also editable! You will need Powerpoint to edit the text. Please note, ONLY the text is editable. The background image can not be moved.

The surprise box prep is quick and easy!  Just stuff your box. Print the label, and tape it on!

Each label is a standard 11" by 8.5".

⭐️ Bundle & SAVE ⭐️

-> Ready to make state testing a little less of a pain? You'll love the State Testing Bundle that includes this secret box label, motivational posters, encouraging cards, and do not disturb signs all for 40% OFF!

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Copyright © Teaching With Coffee and Mascara.

Permission to copy for single classroom use only.

Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.

Encourage meaningful student reflection with this editable formative/quiz reflection form! Designed with IB MYP students in mind, this resource helps learners:

• Analyze Performance: Reflect on their understanding of classwork, homework, and assessment results.
• Identify Common Errors: Review frequent mistakes and solutions to improve future performance.
• Flexible Use: Perfect for IB MYP classrooms but easily adaptable for any class setting.

Support your students in developing self-awareness and strategies for growth with this versatile reflection tool!

If My Common Core Math Notebook Bundle is a product you're interested check out my product: Common Core Ultimate Interactive Notebook Bundle. This bundle includes all Common Core Interactive Notes including ELA and Math at a discounted price. If you are only interested in the Math Notebook Bundle continue reading. Common Core Interactive Math Notebook Bundle! Part 1 and 2 bundled in one discounted Price! Aligned with 3rd grade common core standards, but also an excellent source for 2nd & 4th grade! Interactive Notebooks are a great way to keep students involved in their learning. These great notebooks are also an effective study guide, because it’s packed with lots of resources covering different concepts throughout the school year. My Common Core Interactive Math Notebook Bundle includes Interactive study guides, organizers, practice pages, key words, songs, and word problems. Each skill covered comes with many of these resources. Each student will need: A composition notebook or spiral notebook Crayons, Markers, or colored pencils Glue Copies of the materials Skills Covered: Number and Operations in Base Ten Operations with Algebraic Thinking. Place Value Rounding Addition Skills Subtraction Skills Multiplication Skills (Includes strategies, etc.) Division Skills (Includes strategies). Measurement (Capacity, Length/Width, Weight, Time) Geometry (Attributes of Polygons, Perimeter, Area, Partition Figures) Fractions Interpret and Represent Data (Tables, Graphs, and Charts). Extra Materials Include: Complete Guide on how to use templates with pictures and description on how to use the materials. Table of Contents Common Core standards/checklist Students will love putting together their interactive notebook. Check out my preview for a better picture of this product. Thank you for your time! Check out my Common Core ELA Interactive Notebook Mega Bundle and My January Morning Work-CCSS Aligned Remember to rate and comment after purchase and receive free TeachShare credits to use towards future items.

8 Cut and Paste Templates for Google Slides: Unleash your creativity and transform learning with our versatile templates! Perfect for teachers and educators, these pre-designed slides empower you to effortlessly create engaging cut and paste activities using text or images. Say goodbye to time-consuming design and hello to endless possibilities!Customize these templates to match any subject or grade level, fostering interactive learning experiences that captivate students and enhance comprehension. Save precious planning time, boost student engagement, and elevate your teaching with our user-friendly cut and paste templates for Google Slides.

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Move your mastery meter from "empty" to "full" as you use the chart to find expert peer tutors in your class. By the end of the semester, students' skills will improve through the use of peer tutoring. Easy to follow directions with lined chart.

These worksheets are for students to use to prepare for tests like DIBELS and other Phoneme Segmentation Fluency (PSF) assessments. They provide targeted practice to help students improve their phonemic awareness skills through simple and effective exercises.

What's included:

• 5 worksheets with 30 words each for phoneme segmentation practice
• A variety of words to enhance phonemic segmentation skills
• Ideal for practice in small groups, one-on-one, or independent sessions

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State testing is difficult for both teachers and students. Help motivate them with these superhero themed motivational cards. Pair them with a little snack or candy to help brighten a child's day or week during testing days. Sure to bring a smile to their face.

Resource comes with 10 different motivational cards. Just print and place on students desks before they begin to test.

A HUGE thank you to the following content creators for making my resource possible:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Mosaic-Designs

https://www.TeachShare.com/Store/Clipartisan

Students will count the phonemes or sounds they hear in picture word cards and place them on peanut bags. They will place the peanut word card under the number that represents the sounds they hear. This is a terrific phonemic awareness activity. Students need to know the difference between counting the sounds they hear in words and counting letters in words. I also find that many students often confuse counting phonemes with counting syllables in words. Students need to practice this phonemic awareness skill often so they can become better writers and their inventive spelling will improve. They need lots and lots of practice. Breaking words up into individual sounds is in many DIBELS testing that kindergarten students are expected to do.

You could use this activity on a pocket chart or

I updated this packet to include 36 pictures for students to sort into categories as they count the sounds they hear in words. There are extra peanuts for you to use if you wish to design new words to add to this activity. This activity also comes with an Answer Key.

You will receive the following:

• Sorting mats for two sounds, three sounds, and four sounds
• 36 peanut sorting cards with pictures and words
• 36 peanut sorting cards with just the pictures and no words
• recording sheets with primary lined paper (differentiated by the number of lines)
• recording sheets with secondary lined paper (differentiated by the number of lines)
• Answer Key

You might also like:

Beginning Sounds School Bus Sort

Counting Number Words Sequencing Kinder-Garden Flowers

Kindergarten Alphabet Interactive Notebook

Back to School Kindergarten Bundle Pack

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Thanks for looking. I hope you enjoy this product and are able to use it in your class. Do not forget to rate my product. Did you know that you can earn points for rating products you purchase? The points you earn will give you money off of future purchases on TeachShare.

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Do you need a first day activity for your SAT Prep class? This Write the Room activity will help you understand why your students signed up for the course, what they're hoping to get out of it, what questions they have, their goals for the course, etc.

In order to prepare, you simply have to print this file and mount the 8 station signs on larger pieces of paper. You also need to find 3 sample questions (either online or in a book you already have), make multiple copies of them, and place one at stations 6, 7, and 8.

I use this activity on the first day of my SAT Semester course in order to get to know the kids better, and find out what I need to cover in the course! This activity can be used for Math and/or Verbal SAT review classes!

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Use for your door / bulletin board during standardized / state testing for tests such SBA, CAASPP, FAST, PARCC, NYS etc.

Have students work together to complete a collaborative poster project that is perfect for testing season.

Poster reads, "Shhhh! We are hard at work on our testing. Please do not disturb!"

There are 20 8.5 x 11 pages that when put together create approximately a 55" (length) by 34" (width) poster.

Directions for assembly are included, but happy to help with any help needed to assemble to display your students' collaborative work!

There are two options included in the zip folder- an option with bleed (may need slight overlap depending on your printer settings), or an option with dotted lines to cut on for each part of the poster that require no overlap.

Please leave feedback for this product to receive TeachShare credit that can be used for future purchases!

Permission is granted to copy pages for use by teachers/students use by the original purchaser. This product was sold for single classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses for use in multiple classrooms.

Do you teach a college and career course? Are you an AVID teacher or maybe a counselor? Are your students preparing for the ACT? Then this product is for you! Your students will move around the room and form different groups while discussing 10 important questions related to their performance on a practice PreACT. Get your students engaged in reflection as they prepare for the real thing!

Directions:

• Students walk around the room to music.
• When the music stops students get into a group with however many people are listed in the corner of the slide.
• Each member says their name and answers the question shown.
• Each time students must meet with new people until everyone has been met with.

What do you get?

1 directions slide

10 questions related to extracurricular and involvement activities

10 walk/transition slides

Click HERE to see our other AVID resources. We also have several great AVID bundle options available down below!

AVID Mega Growing Bundle

AVID Teambuilding Bundle

AVID Writing Bundle

Engage your students with these 10 informative and age-appropriate nonfiction reading comprehension passages focused on good citizenship! Perfect for 1st to 3rd graders, these passages cover essential topics like respect, kindness, community service, and environmental responsibility. Each passage comes with five comprehension questions to assess understanding and spark discussion.

Product Includes:

• 10 engaging nonfiction reading passages about good citizenship
• 5 comprehension questions for each passage
• Printable PDF format for easy classroom use

Looking for a fun way to encourage your students during the test-taking season? If you're like me, I'm sure you want to boost your students' motivation and self-esteem during state testing! Help reduce the stress of testing with these day-of-test popsicle stick signs for mints! These signs coordinate with my state testing-themed bulletin board set found here!

Signs read: "You are MINT to succeed!" and "You are MINT to ace this test!

Included in this download:

• 2 different color signs (2 per page)
• 2 black & white signs

Students can grab a peppermint candy as a way to help them focus and stay alert during high-stakes testing. Attach the signs to a popsicle stick with tape and pop them into your candy container for a cute presentation of test day:)

You might be interested in the Money-Saving BUNDLE, which includes THREE motivational resources to encourage students during testing at any grade level:

• State Testing Encouragement - Positive Desk Notes

• State Testing Encouragement - Motivational Coloring Bookmarks with Positive Affirmations

• State Testing Encouragement - Motivational Bulletin Board Set with Affirmations

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Engage your students with these 10 informative and age-appropriate nonfiction reading comprehension passages focused on good citizenship! Perfect for 1st to 3rd graders, these passages cover essential topics like respect, kindness, community service, and environmental responsibility. Each passage comes with five comprehension questions to assess understanding and spark discussion.

Product Includes:

• 10 engaging nonfiction reading passages about good citizenship
• 5 comprehension questions for each passage
• Printable PDF format for easy classroom use

AVID Vocabulary Game for SAT and ACT | Fishbowl Rounds: Help your students prepare for the SAT or ACT while building their vocabulary skills. During Fishbowl Rounds students have 60 seconds to spend in each of the 3 rounds where they have to use the vocabulary words in different ways!

✨AVID Bundle✨

What's Included

• Directions poster
• Vocabulary list with 90 SAT vocabulary words
• Vocabulary log for students to record definitions and sentence examples for the vocabulary words
• 90 word cards to cut and place in a "fishbowl" for students to draw out of
• Editable template to add your own words

Directions

• Students have 60 seconds per round!

1 Clues

• Whoever is drawing cards may only use word clues to help their team guess the word. You may not use physical or actions and you cannot use the word in your clues.

2 dictionary

• Whoever is drawing cards must draw a picture to get the team to guess the word. You may not write words or use sounds or noises; it must be silent.

3 three words

• Whoever is drawing cards must use only THREE words to get the team to guess. These words can be repeated, can be said in different volumes or rates but must be only three words.

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End of year or anytime! This is the best, comprehensive, unlimited replay Jeopardy test prep game experience on this marketplace! This Jeopardy-style Texas history and geography review game offers a truly unique learning adventure! Elevate your Social Studies teaching toolkit with this fun and educational history and geography game where students will have a blast reviewing all of those key facts and concepts you've taught them about Texas history and geography, inlcuding Texas regions, cities, counties, borders, map skills, historical events, founding fathers, VIPs, pop culture, and so much more!

If you like this game, you may also appreciate Jeopardy-style Texas Geography game that helps your learners prepare, one unit at a time. With this game, they review key concepts related to Texas geography, inlcuding map skills, vocabulary, landforms, Texas regions, cities, counties, borders, and more!

Check out a preview of this TEKS and CCSS-aligned Texas history and geography Jeopardy-style game to see for yourself.

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Learners are tested on their knowledge of Texas history and geography using the following randomly-selected question types:

• Multiple Choice
• Multiple Answers
• Drag and Drop
• Cloze Passages
• Text Entry
• Sequencing
• Timed activities
• Media: Video and Image Questions

It's Comprehensive:

• Categories A100 - A400: Geography including vocabulary, regions, borders, cities, maps, and landforms
• Categories B100 - B400: People of Texas including, celebrities, native Texans, explorers, founding fathers, leaders, contributors, etc.
• Categories C100 - C400: Battles and wars, including those related to the Texas Revolution, Civil War, and World Wars
• Categories D100 - D400: Various topics, including Texas symbols, government, education, economy, culture, and fun facts

Inspired by Jeopardy, this game includes:

• 1 or 2 Players/Teams
• Realistic: Automated scoring and return to game board - no manual adjustments or annoying home/back button
• Pick a host (or no host at all)
• Bonus Point Opportunities (Double Jeopardy-style points and Final Jeopardy-style bids)

Basic Features:

• Standards Aligned: Meets TEKS and CCSS.
• Remote Learning Friendly: Online game. Internet required.
• Automatic scoring and self-correcting answer key. Learners get immediate notification of correct or incorrect answers.
• Fun, fun, fun: Word scramble, riddles, and more.
• Replay option: Questions are selected randomly from a pool. There are well over 200 questions in total. This makes it possible to produce a unique quiz with each replay attempt. In addition, new questions will be added to the pool periodically to keep the pool robust.
• Learners are acknowledged by the name they entered when launching the game.
• Truly No Prep: Automatic scoring and answer key. Open/send the link and go!
• Copyright-friendly audio.
• No macros = play on any device.
• A Google account is not required!
• Quick and Effective: 10 - 15 minutes = Perfect for a quick refresher or energizer.

Important Information:

• Because this game includes automation, animation, audio/video, and 2-player functionality, it is a very large file. *** It may take up to a minute or so to load *** depending on your Internet speed. Thank you for your patience.
• This game is not editable. Please let me know if there's something you would like to see added.

What to Expect:

Please play the preview version before purchasing. This is the best way to understand how the game works and is also the best way to avoid surprises after purchase.

Again, because of the coding involved to create this fully-automated, 2-player game with audio, video, and animation, it may take a minute or so to load, depending on your Internet speed.

You'll receive a PDF file that includes a link to the online game. This content is not editable. If there is something you would like added, please let me know.

While I'll update the game periodically, I will do my best to retain the same link. After purchasing, you'll be notified about any updates to this product.

Want more? Here's a preview of other learning games.

Help Me Get Better:

If you encounter any issues, please email me at zaneylaneylearning@gmail.com before posting a negative review. I have a lot of ideas, and I'm trying my best to present an error-free, high-quality product. Again, please play the preview version before purchasing. This is the best way to understand how the game works and is also the best way to avoid surprises after purchase.

Please let me know if you would like to see additional examples or have suggestions for other uses/topics. Follow me to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest.