State testing days can be so long. The test is over for the day—now what? If you’re a 4th or 5th grade teacher, you know the hours after standardized testing can feel long and unfocused. Your students are tired, routines are off, and motivation might be low. But this can still be a valuable and fun time in the classroom! These post-testing classroom activities are designed to keep upper elementary students engaged, learning, and smiling during testing week—all while giving you a well-deserved break from intensive prep. Whether you’re looking for low-prep review games, creative writing ideas, or end-of-year activities for 4th grade, you’ll find something here to keep your students excited about coming to school.
Not sure what to do after testing in 4th grade? These ideas will keep your students learning? Whether you are looking for quick activities to help students decompress or longer projects to celebrate once testing is over, this list has you covered. These 15 post-testing classroom activities are low-prep and will keep your students engaged while making the post-testing time rewarding and enjoyable.
What to Do After State Testing in Upper Elementary
Provide Students with Opportunities to Relax and Recharge
After hours of testing, students need time to recharge and relax with simple and engaging activities.
1. Read-Aloud and Graphic Organizer Response
One of my favorite and easy-to-prep activities for following testing is a read-aloud. Pick your favorite picture book for a calming read-aloud session. Follow up with a graphic organizer that allows critical thinking and creativity. My Spring Graphic Organizers are a perfect pairing for stories like The Gardener by Sarah Stewart or Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.
2. Take Learning Outside
What could be better after state testing activities than activities that involve the outdoors? If the weather is nice, take this opportunity to read, write, or complete simple assignments outdoors. A change of scenery can make learning feel fresh and enjoyable, and the fresh air and sunshine will do everyone some good!
3. Coloring for Calmness
Provide students with motivational coloring sheets to help them destress while keeping their hands busy. These can also serve as encouragement for the next day of testing. I like to pass these out immediately following testing while I complete the requirements that I need to complete following testing. This gives me the chance to complete my tasks while students have a chance to stay busy but relax.
4. Motivational Coloring Badges
Reward students for their hard work by giving them coloring badges to decorate. These can be added to lanyards, and backpacks, or used with yarn or ribbon to create simple awards to be worn around the neck.
5. Memory Book Project
Why wait until the last day of school to create a memory book? Use this time to have students reflect on their favorite parts of this school year by making a booklet filled with drawings, writings, and fun memories.
Keep Minds Sharp with Creative Thinking Challenges
Light academic activities following state testing can help students stay engaged while allowing their brains to shift from testing mode to learning fun.
6. Seasonal Word Searches
Let students unwind with a themed word search featuring seasonal words.
7. Fun Puzzle Packets
Create a seasonal puzzle packet with logic puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers. These can be worked on individually or in small groups. For more ideas on logic puzzles, check out this blog post.
Movement-Based Activities
After long hours of testing, students need a chance to get up and move. These activities will allow for movement while keeping your students engaged in learning fun.
8. Scoot Games
Grab your favorite set of task cards and play a game of Scoot, a game where students move from desk to desk answering a question at each station. This is a great way to review content while incorporating much-needed movement. This is a wonderful activity if your students are already familiar with the game of scoot.
I highly suggest introducing Scoot before testing. There is a slight learning curve to this activity, and it may take a few attempts and quite a bit of modeling before students become familiar enough with this activity before it runs smoothly in your classroom.
9. Task Cards Game Stations
Set up task card game stations and game boards where students rotate to complete different games. This makes reviewing interactive and fun.
10. Sidewalk Chalk Learning
Take learning outside by giving students sidewalk chalk to review math facts, spelling words, or creative writing prompts on the sidewalk. Of course, drawing is fun too!
11. Nature Walk and Writing Reflection
Go on a short nature walk around your school (if applicable) and have students take notes on what they see, hear, and feel. When they return, they can use their observations to write poetry or a descriptive paragraph. These details could be used with my Spring Poetry Quilts for a creative twist.
Assign Creative Writing Projects to Let Students Express Themselves
After testing, students enjoy the opportunities to express creativity through writing and hands-on projects.
12. Poetry Writing with Spring Poetry Quilts
Use this time after testing to introduce or review poetry writing. Students can explore different styles of poetry writing and display their work in a Spring Poetry Quilt–a fun artistic way to celebrate their writing!
13. Create a Fun Reading Flipbook Project
Give students a longer project by having them complete a Pineapple Flipbook or a Strawberry Flipbook Reading Project. They can write about a recently read book (this could be an independently read book, a classroom read-aloud, or even a picture book) and write about and illustrate key details, character traits, or favorite moments. This is a perfect project to be spread out over two or three days. Once complete, they look fabulous hung on a bulletin board or in the hallway.
Just for Fun Activities
14. Game Board Day
Let students bring their favorite board game for a fun, relaxed afternoon. This is a great way to encourage strategic thinking and friendly competition.
15. Class Talent Show
End the day with a class talent show! Let students showcase their unique talents, whether it’s singing, story-telling, or clean joke-telling. Your students will enjoy learning even more about their classmates.
After state testing, students need a balance of relaxation, movement, creativity, and fun to keep them motivated while winding down from testing stress. Whether you choose to do a quick activity after each test session or spread these ideas out over multiple days, these 15 post-testing ideas will help your students reset, recharge, and celebrate their hard work!
