Do you need to prep your students to take the OST (Ohio State Test) for science? If you are a teacher in Ohio then you are familiar with the ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) that requires third through eighth grade students to take state tests.Students take tests in reading and math every year, but since this is a science blog I will focus on the OST in science. Ohio students in 5th and 8th grade Ohio take Ohio’s State Test in science. Testing can be overwhelming for both students and teachers, I want to help you lessen testing stress by giving you tips and tricks to prepare your fifth and eighth grade students for success!
Make Reviewing Fun for Your Students
Games naturally grab students’ attention, transforming traditional review sessions into dynamic and interactive experiences. When students are actively participating, they are more likely to retain information. This heightened engagement often leads to increased motivation, as students are eager to perform well in a fun and competitive environment.
Many educational games are designed to be played in teams, promoting collaboration and communication among students.
Games often provide immediate feedback, allowing students to quickly identify areas where they need improvement. This instant reinforcement helps them understand mistakes in real-time and correct misconceptions before they become ingrained.
You can check out my blog post on my game show style review games here!
I also have digital board games for science review! You can check those out here!
Review in Multiple Different Ways
Testing is stressful for everyone involved, especially your students! Review games are great , but ihat might not be the best way to review for every student in the classroom. Test anxiety is a common issue among students, and it can significantly impact performance. When students know the material well, this can significantly reduce test anxiety.
There are a ton of different ways to help your students review! Crossword puzzles, digital escape rooms, color by code worksheets, the possibilities are endless!
Utilize Practice Tests!
When students know what to expect, they are more likely to feel confident and less stressed. Repeated exposure to test conditions can help students develop effective time management skills, reducing the pressure of completing the exam within the allotted time. This practice can lead to improved concentration and performance on test day.In addition to reinforcing content knowledge, practice tests also help students develop effective test-taking strategies. As they work through practice questions, students can experiment with different approaches to tackling multiple-choice questions, such as eliminating obviously incorrect options to improve the chances of selecting the correct answer.
Practice tests provide an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in a structured format that mimics the actual exam. By repeatedly exposing themselves to the type of questions they will face, students can solidify their knowledge and improve recall. This repetition helps to cement information in long-term memory, making it more accessible during the actual test.
I Have Tips and Tricks... Now What?
I shared a lot of information with you! You might be overwhelmed thinking about how much extra work will go into implementing these ideas in your classroom! Don’t fret, I have done the work for you!
You will love this bundle for Ohio 5th Grade Science Test Prep! It includes various materials to help prepare your students for the Ohio standardized science test.
What does the Ohio 5th Grade Science Test Prep Bundle Include?
- Five Review Games in Google™ Slides (Ecosystems, Sun and Shadows, 5th Grade Ohio Science Review, Force and Motion, Solar System)
- One Set of Quizzes in Google ™ Forms and Printable PDF
- Analyzing Data, Graphs, and Diagrams in Google™ Slides and PDF
- Ohio Practice Test for 5th Grade in Google™ Forms and PDF
Students will review information in a variety of ways and will practice thinking at a higher level with questions that require them to:
- Choose the best answer
- Analyze the data
- Read the question carefully
- Fill in the blank
These materials will help you review 8th-grade science concepts. Students will love the engaging games, and you will love the practice tests and quizzes.
What is included?
- Ohio 8th grade quizzes (Google™ Forms and PDF
- Ohio 8th grade practice OTS science test (Google™ Forms and PDF) –coming soon
- Analyzing Graphs and Data Analysis (Google™ Slides and PDF)
- Ohio Science 8th Grade Editable Review (Game Google™ Slides)
- Earth and Space Review Game (Game Google™ Slides)
- Force and Motion Review Game (Game Google™ Slides)
- Adaptations Review Game (Game Google™ Slides)
- Evolution Review Game (Game Google™ Slides)
- Rock Cycle Color By Code (Printable)
- Adaptations Color By Code (Printable)
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