Testing Mom

We all hate tests...well, most of us that is!  There are those rare few that love them, but I believe that even they get nervous before taking a test!  Some of our kids get VERY nervous before taking a test!  What will it be like?  Will I know the answers?  What if I don't know what is asking?  And, of course, teachers proctoring these tests feel helpless as they aren't allowed to even explain directions without breaking  the testing "rules."  

If your child is one of these, or if you are a teacher looking for an RTI program to help students with test taking skills, I have an option for you!  TestingMom.com is a fairly new website that is your one-shop stop for all test taking practice!  In one location, you can find sample questions to the specific test your child is preparing for, whether that is the state assessment or a Gifted and Talented test.   Now, I am not one to advocate "teaching to the test" or even spending much time on preparing only for one test.  I believe that our time is much better spent teaching a child for LIFE, not for a TEST.  However, the way education is moving right now, testing is used to rank students, decide what program may be right or wrong for that child, and even if that child may need to be retained.  With all of that at stake, it would be wrong for me, as a parent or as a teacher, to not prepare a child for what a test might look like.  That way, when he/she takes the test, it is more accurately assessing what he/she knows rather than assessing how well he/she takes a test.

One of the things I really like about this program is that membership can include subscriptions to other sites like Brain Pop (one of my son's favorites), Study Island, Britannica, Professor Garfield, Scholastic True Flix, just to name a few.  These memberships individually would cost a LOT more than this one membership!  Right now, they are having a March Madness sale too, so you can lock in a $7.99 per month for 12 months of this service.    And, you only need one membership per family!  You will have access to all grade level (K-6) questions, so there is no need for multiple accounts for multiple kids.  The test questions are available online and are able to be printed, so you don't have to worry about buying workbooks for each child. 

And, since we can't have them just practicing all of the time, there is a reward area where your child can create their own reward and print it.  How cute is this little monster!?  Your child can change the clothes, background, glasses/hat, teddy bear, etc. and have a little fun after his/her hard work.  

If you are looking for a fun, interactive way to practice test taking skills with your child, this is a good option for you.  Head on over to www.testingmom.com to take a look for yourself!  There are videos that you can watch to see just how it could work for your family.  Let me know what you think about it!