test prep

Prepping Students for MAP Testing in Middle School ELA

Prepping students for MAP testing in middle school ELA doesn’t have to be boring. Instead, make test prep fun with activities, games, and discussions.

Let’s be real, by this point in the year, your students have taken a lot of tests.

And now MAP testing is coming. Again.

MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a test developed by NWEA, and it’s given three times per year to help measure student growth. It’s untimed, adaptive, and presents one question at a time—so students work at their own pace.

I’ve always loved that this test tracks progress rather than a one-time comparison like some other tests. In the past, when we only took one big test a year (at the end of the year), we couldn’t use the results to change much because our students quickly moved on to the next grade.

MAP tests are different.

MAP tests allow us to see how our current students are doing. We track each student’s growth several times a year, so we can see if they are growing or not, and the test adapts so that students get questions that challenge them.

So, how do we keep prep fresh and helpful, especially for middle schoolers?

Let’s dig into a few simple strategies that get results without draining your students (or you).

Pin image of three students working on prep activities for a test. Text reads, "Map Test Prep Activities: ELA Activities for Middle School."

Prepping Students for MAP Testing in Middle School ELA with These 3 Ideas

1. Turn the Standards Into a Game

Instead of just drilling reading standards, gamify them.

You can use task cards or stations to make prep more interesting.

You can also do team challenges and relays to allow students to move around and interact with others.

If you’re looking for a no-prep option, our ELA Test Prep Escape Room is a great way to sneak in serious skills through fun, challenge-based reviews.

2. Use Short Texts with High-Quality Questions

Sometimes less is more.

Give students a short passage (like a news article or a high-interest nonfiction blurb) and ask 2–3 standards-aligned questions that dig deeper than surface-level comprehension.

This mirrors the MAP format—especially the focus on critical thinking and text-based evidence.

The Paired Passage Sets from The Sparkly Notebook are perfect for this. Each set includes two engaging texts with a range of questions that allow students to practice comparing, analyzing, and citing evidence from multiple sources. Just like they’ll be asked to do on the test.

3. Reinforce Skills Through Discussion

ELA MAP tests don’t just measure what students know—they measure how well they can analyze and find evidence.

That’s where structured conversations come in. Using conversations to learn allows students to hear how other students interpret the same piece of writing or a question.

Discussion allows students to naturally perform at a level that fits their needs. Students who have a deeper understanding will ask harder questions or bring up a new lens through which to view the information. Students who need more help/guidance will be able to answer direct questions but also be exposed to how others think.

Conversations, discussions, and activities like Socratic Seminars build the critical thinking and academic language skills MAP questions love.

Want support? Our SL.1-3 Speaking and Listening resources for 6th–8th grade offer discussion-based activities that align perfectly with MAP-aligned standards. It’s a low-prep way to bring powerful conversations into your classroom.

How to teach SL.1-3 in Middle School ELA (7th Grade) — 6th Grade

Prep Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

You don’t have to rely on packets and practice tests to get students ready for MAP tests. By nature, MAP tests are more about tracking growth than anything else, so we want students to be generally familiar with concepts, but they aren’t expected to know everything all the time.

The activities and tips we went over in this post allow students to learn and review in ways that don’t feel like traditional test prep. They are fun and interactive and encourage growth, which is what we should all be focused on!

If you’re looking for resources that support growth all year long—check out our full collection of ELA test prep tools for grades 6–8 right here in the Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Digging into Argumentative Writing with Students: Why It Matters & How to Teach It

One of the key components of teaching middle school ELA is working on argumentative writing with students. Let’s spend some time talking about why it matters and how to teach it effectively to this age group.

Argumentative writing is one of the most challenging skills for students to master.

It requires them to analyze texts deeply, understand an author’s purpose, and construct well-supported arguments—all skills they need for testing season and beyond.

So…what’s the problem?

Many students don’t dig deep enough when analyzing arguments. They might identify a claim, but they struggle to explain how the reasoning and evidence connect.

That’s why our Analyzing Argumentative Writing – Test Prep Packet is a game-changer.

Analyzing Argumentative Writing - Author's Purpose, Author's Claim, and Supporting Evidence

Why Argumentative Writing is a Must Before Testing

Standardized tests expect students to:

✔️ Break down an argument – What is the author’s claim? What evidence do they use? How do they justify their reasoning?
✔️ Recognize counterclaims & rebuttals – Can they identify and evaluate multiple perspectives?
✔️ Use strong transitions – Do their ideas flow logically from one point to the next?
✔️ Answer evidence-based questions – Can they support their responses using textual evidence?

Our Test Prep Packet helps students build all of these skills while keeping them engaged with a high-interest topic: “The Benefits of Dogs in the Workplace.”

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What’s Inside the Test Prep Packet?

This resource makes argument analysis interactive and accessible, with multiple activities designed to deepen student understanding.

Here’s what’s included:

Argumentative Passage
Passage Interactive Activity
Graphic Organizer Sort Activity & Cheat Sheet
Evidence-Based Question Set
Transition Words & Counterclaim/Rebuttal Activities
Self-Assessment Tool

How to Use It in Your Classroom

Kickstart your learning about analyzing argumentative writing with a simple question… “What makes an argument strong?”

Ask students to discuss this in small groups and come up with possible answers. Collect their thoughts somewhere where all students can see them. Then, let students debate the responses in search of some key things that make an argument strong.

Then, use the resource to break it down step-by-step. Use the handouts and pieces of this resource to guide students through claims, reasoning, and finding good evidence.

Once you’ve worked through the resource in its entirety, the pieces of the resource and the ideas used can be used with other passages. Don’t forget to check out our high-interest Paired Passage sets at The Sparkly Notebook store! There are a lot of great topics to work with as you continue to discuss analyzing arguments with students.

The Best Part?

Students get high-rigor practice without the boredom of standard test-prep worksheets.

This packet makes argumentative writing engaging, accessible, and follows the standards!

Want to dive deeper into real-world argumentative writing? Check out Analyzing Argumentative Writing – Social Media and Teens for another high-interest topic!

👉 Get your students test-ready with the Analyzing Argumentative Writing – Test Prep Packet today!

Why Socratic Seminar is CRUCIAL During Testing Season

Although grammar and reading comprehension skill review gets a lot of attention during testing season, remember that using the Socratic Seminar is crucial this time of the year for helping students create strong, well-thought-out arguments.

As testing season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in drill-and-practice routines. But is that really helping students engage with the material?

Instead of passive test prep, let’s give them something that actually builds critical thinking skills—Socratic Seminars.

Our SL. 1-3 Standards-Based Units are all about using Socratic Seminars in middle school ELA. To learn more about these standards and how to address them in 6th-8th grade, check out this blog post!!

Blog Post (How to teach SL.1-3 in Middle School)

Why Socratic Seminar?

Socratic Seminars aren’t just class discussions. They help students practice high-level speaking and listening skills while strengthening their ability to analyze texts, ask thoughtful questions, and defend their reasoning with evidence.

These are the exact skills they need to tackle standardized tests confidently.

Why Now?

Right now, students are expected to analyze passages, compare sources, and support their ideas with textual evidence. Students also need to be able to pull key details out of their reading and use that reading to support answers to questions about the text and it’s goal/purpose.

A pin image of a group of students working together on a group project. The text reads, "Read on the blog: Socratic Seminar - What it is and why it's crucial during testing season."

A Socratic Seminar brings these skills to life! Instead of simply reading, students are:

Making real connections
Forming strong arguments
Defending their ideas with logic and evidence
Hearing how others are interpreting the same text

This interactive approach naturally reinforces Speaking and Listening (SL.1-3) standards for 6th-8th grade, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to implement these strategies with your middle school ELA students.

Our SL.1-3 resources provide lesson plans, discussion guides, and assessment tools tailored to each grade level.

Take It Up a Notch

Want even stronger results?

Incorporate writing into your Socratic Seminars.

Writing Activity Ideas:

Write a short reflection before and after the discussion
Cite sources properly to support their ideas (great for working on proper citations)
Have students write blog posts and/or news stories about what they learned from the seminar.
Ask students to write down the key points for both sides of a given argument based on the discussion.
Ask students to identify the key parts of the reading based on the direction of the discussion.

This bridges the gap between speaking and writing, reinforcing their ability to construct well-supported written responses.

Ready to Elevate Test Prep?

If you’re looking for an engaging way to refine speaking, listening, and argumentation skills, Socratic Seminars are a must!

And if you want an easy, standards-aligned way to implement them, check out our SL.1-3 resources for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade below!!

Start transforming your test prep today!

Fun ELA Springtime Test Prep Activities

Five fun ELA springtime test prep activities for middle school students!

Spring is in the air, and so is testing season!

As we inch closer to standardized testing, it’s important to keep students engaged while reviewing key skills. But let’s be real—test prep doesn’t have to be boring!

With a little creativity, you can make reviewing grammar, reading comprehension, and writing skills a lot more fun and interactive for your students.

Let’s explore some fun springtime test prep activities you can try with your middle school ELA students!

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1. Digital Escape Rooms – Test Prep with a Twist

Escape rooms are a fantastic way to get students thinking critically while reviewing key ELA skills. Luckily, we have several Digital Escape Rooms that fit right into the spring season:

Our digital escape rooms reinforce figurative language, reading comprehension, and grammar concepts—all while making students feel like they’re solving a mystery or completing a challenge!

Each escape room includes puzzles, reading passages, and interactive challenges that keep students engaged while practicing essential middle school ELA test-taking strategies.

Bonus: Since they’re digital, they require NO prep for you!

Sign Up for a FREE plot structure digital escape room!

2. ELA Task Card Scavenger Hunt

Turn your classroom into a scavenger hunt zone!

Create task cards covering key ELA skills (main idea, text structure, vocabulary, etc.) and hide them around the room. Students work in pairs or small groups to find and complete each task card.

To add an extra layer of fun, include “bonus” cards with small prizes or funny challenges to keep them engaged.

Need task cards? We have middle school ELA-themed task cards that are ready to print and use!

3. Jeopardy-Style Review Game

Game-show-style test prep always gets students excited! Use an interactive Jeopardy game with categories like Grammar Rules, Reading Comprehension, Figurative Language, and Writing Strategies to keep things competitive.

💡 Pro Tip: Divide students into teams and let them “buzz in” by raising their hands or using small whiteboards. Offer small prizes for the winning team to add an extra incentive!

There are plenty of fun buzzing options, like classroom buzzers with different sounds to add extra excitement!

4. Classroom “Around the World” Grammar Challenge

It’s like a spelling bee… but for grammar!

Put a fun spin on grammar review with an Around the World game. This fast-paced activity has students competing to answer grammar questions correctly as they move from desk to desk.

If they get the answer right, they move forward.
If they don’t, they stay put and wait for the next round.

It’s a great way to reinforce grammar rules while keeping energy levels high!

5. Digital Sorting Activity Relay Race

Another quick and effective test prep activity is a digital sorting relay race!

This no-prep activity works great as a station in a class challenge. Here’s how it works:

Set up five computers with a digital sorting activity on one side of the room.
Divide students into five teams and line them up on the other side of the room.
One student at a time runs over, moves one tile, and returns to tag the next teammate.
The first team to correctly complete the sort wins!

With the weather getting nicer in the Northern Hemisphere, this is also a fun activity to do outside!

Click here to learn more ways to use our DIGITAL Sorting activities!

Blog Post (Quick review with these 3 digital sort activities)

Figurative Language DIGITAL Sort Activity

DIGITAL Nonfiction Text Structure Sort (Common Core Aligned)

Types of Sentence DIGITAL Sort Activity – Zero Prep

Make Test Prep Fun and Engaging!

Test prep doesn’t have to be dry or stressful! Incorporating interactive activities like escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and games keeps students engaged while ensuring they’re ready for those end-of-year assessments.

Want ready-to-go test prep resources? Check out our Digital Escape Rooms and ELA task cards to make your review sessions stress-free and fun!

Here’s to a successful (and fun) test prep season! 🚀

– The Sparkly Notebook

How to teach L.2 in Middle School

A breakdown for instructors who teach L.2 in middle school ELA. This post includes learning targets, concept breakdowns, resource suggestions, and activity and assessment ideas!

Good grammar and punctuation is a staple of ELA instruction no matter which grade level you’re teaching, but with so many different rules to teach, it’s exhausting to know where to start and end each year.

In this post, we have combined the brains of several middle-level ELA teachers to develop some learning targets you can focus on in each grade level to ensure your students are leaving the middle school classroom with an astute understanding of grammar and punctuation.

Let’s begin by talking through how we’re making sure that we are breaking down the standards fully and how we decide which learning targets to focus on.

Learning Targets

By focusing on learning targets, we can model our lessons to hit very specific goals and skills. In this post, we discuss how we break down each standard and make a plan for learning, practicing, and reviewing the standards throughout the year using the checklists below.

Preparing Middle School Students for standardized tests: 6th grade standards checklist — 6th Grade Checklist

Preparing Middle School Students for Standardized Tests: (7th Grade Standards Checklist) — 6th Grade Checklist

The way we break down standards, we focus on creating 3-5 learning targets for each standard. These learning targets focus on the nuances of each standard and help us to make sure that we

Here are the learning targets on which we developed our resources for L.2.

Teaching L.6.2 (6th Grade)

6th Grade Standard: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

6th Grade Learning Targets

I can use correct capitalization and punctuation when writing.
I can use punctuation to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
I can spell correctly.

Teaching L.7.2 (7th Grade)

How to teach L.2 in middle school ELA (7th Grade)

7th Grade Standard: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

7th Grade Learning Targets

I can compose a sentence with descriptive adjectives before the noun they describe and use proper punctuation when using coordinating adjectives.
I can spell words commonly found in seventh-grade level text including homophones, homonyms, and homographs.
I can use proper punctuation when writing including commas, semicolons, quotation marks, colons, and apostrophes.

Teaching L.8.2 (8th Grade)

How to teach L.2 in middle school ELA (8th Grade)

8th Grade Standard: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

8th Grade Learning Targets

I can use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
I can use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
I can spell correctly.

Growing through Middle School

When it comes to grammar and punctuation, consistency is the key. The more you can have students practice writing and rewriting, the better off you’ll be. A lot of times we think that students are just going to eventually ‘get it,’ but punctuation and grammar is all about consistent practice over time both in finding and fixing errors as well as editing and giving suggestions to others.

Do not under-value editing, especially in middle school, while students are picking up habits (both good and bad).

If you see students failing to capitalize the ‘I’ in their sentences, make them redo the sentence. If you notice that they aren’t good at using commas in certain sentence patterns, then spend some time explicitly teaching that pattern.

Make the rules easy and memorable, and expect your students to follow them daily.

Resources for teaching L.2

I would have resources on hand to practice L.2 daily. This means you’ll want a variety of different kinds of resources that cover lots of other skills.

I love finding good holiday resources for grammar and punctuation practice because it feels like a good time to throw in a little holiday cheer. That being said, I also think you must have a good foundation before resorting to various holiday and month-specific resources, assessments, and activities.

That is why we’ve created a grade-level specific unit for 7th and 8th grade, teaching, practicing, and assessing the skills that fall within the L.2 standard.

Click on the links below to closely examine our L.2 resources.

The resources include a lesson/activity for each specific learning target or concept as well as posters, and answer keys.

How to teach L.2 in Middle School ELA (8th Grade Assessments)

Activities and Projects for Practicing and Assessing L.2 in Middle School

Spelling Rules for Writing and Editing: Spelling can seem rather simple but yet, it is still an important skill to practice for writing and editing purposes. Sometimes students don’t fully understand the spelling rules in their younger years but can pick them up quickly as they mature cognitively in middle school. Thus, why not go back over the rules and practice them in fun ways? Check out the rules and practice games in our 6th-grade resource!
Comma Rules of the Week: There are a lot of comma rules. In both our 7th and 8th grade resources, we provide a list of 10 comma rules. Spend a full week on each of these, and hit them HARD. Once students are expected to know a comma rule, point it out every time it comes up, and expect students to rework assignments to make sure all rules are being followed.
Audience-Specific Writing: Some rules don’t apply in all situations. Practice writing to different audiences. For example, a blogging audience tends to prefer paragraphs that are much shorter (often only 1-2 sentences). Formal, professional writing, on the other hand, typically encourages longer paragraphs (5-7 sentences) that follow a more structure style. Encourage students to research and write in these different styles to explore the conventions and grammar expectations for each. We do some projects similar to this style in our 7th-grade resource.
Comma Hunt: Read through a passage and document any commas being used. Write down the sentence and then identify which comma rule the sentence is either following or breaking. Fix the sentence accordingly. This is an activity in our 8th-grade resource.

Ensuring your students understand and master the standards feels like a huge challenge, and we understand that. That is why we create standards-focused resources that provide teachers with activities, lessons, and assessments that explicitly teach each of the middle school ELA standards.

How to teach RI.7 in Middle School

A breakdown for teachers who teach RI.7 in middle school ELA. In this post, we’ve included learning targets, concept breakdowns, resource suggestions, and activity and assessment ideas!

When I was in middle school, we had only a few different mediums available for sharing and presenting messages. We could make a poster, or we could give a speech. It kind of feels like those were the only options.

Now, kids have so many different options. They can make a video, create a playlist, create a blog series, or a podcast. They can create presentations using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, or any other presentation platform. They can use memes and GIFs created by themselves or by others. They can use posters, or they can make items using 3D printers.

We have so many different mediums to choose from, and each of them has its own merits and flaws.

As we begin to consider how to teach RI.7 in middle school, we will consider how others use these different mediums as well as when we should use them.

Let’s start by looking at the learning targets for RI.7!

Learning Targets

To make sure that all of the middle school ELA standards are being covered in your classroom, consider working from a checklist like the ones below.

These checklists will give you a way of documenting how and when each standard will be covered, reviewed, and assessed throughout the year.

We also like to use these checklists for breaking the standards down into learning targets.

To get our learning targets, we deconstruct the standard into 2-5 pieces or specific learning targets that students will be able to accomplish in order to be able to master that standard.

Here are the learning targets on which we developed our resources for RI.7.

Teaching RI.6.7 (6th Grade)

6th Grade Standard: Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.

6th Grade Learning Targets

I can integrate information from different types of sources to help me understand the topic.
I can combine words with different media to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
I can demonstrate my understanding using information from various media/formats including both print and non-print.

Teaching RI.7.7 (7th Grade)

How to teach RI.7 in middle school ELA (7th Grade)

7th Grade Standard: Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words)

7th Grade Learning Targets

I can compare and contrast a written text to an audiovisual/multimedia presentation of the same work.
I can analyze each medium’s depiction of the subject matter (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).

Teaching RI.8.7 (8th Grade)

How to teach RI.7 in middle school ELA (8th Grade)

8th Grade Standard: Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

8th Grade Learning Targets

I can identify different mediums, including print, digital, video, and multimedia.
I can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic or idea.
I can determine which type of media is most appropriate and effective for the type of communication I am providing.

Growing through Middle School

When we discuss how to teach RI.7 in middle school, we want to really narrow down the purpose of each of these standards.

In the 6th and 7th-grade standards, students are observing and practicing the use of different mediums. They are looking at specific subject matters through the lenses of different mediums such as articles, documentaries, videos, multimedia presentations, podcasts, etc. However, in 8th grade, students are actually considering the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums.

These two standards clearly build on each other!

What this tells me as a teacher is that when given the opportunity (especially in 6th or 7th grade) to share a text or information using different mediums, I should jump on it. If I can show a speech on video, have students listen to an original radio recording, and also have them read it, then we should do all three and spend time considering the merits of each.

The more students are exposed to different mediums, the better off they will be as they move onto 8th grade when they start to make decisions about when different mediums should be used.

Resources for teaching RI.7

If you are looking for some resources for teaching RI.7 in middle school, then we have a few different products for you to check out.

Each of these resources includes handouts, assessments, activity sheets, projects, and answer keys. They are fully built out and designed to meet each of the learning targets we’ve broken the standard into to achieve mastery.

To learn more about our resources for each grade level, click on the links below!

Activities and Projects for Practicing and Assessing RI.7 in Middle School

Although there are many different topics you can use when you’re deciding how to teach RI.7 in middle school, here are some project/activity ideas that can be used with whatever topics you choose to study.

Venn Diagram: This is the perfect time to use a good, ol’ Venn diagram or chart to compare and contrast different versions of a topic. We use this a few times in our resources.
Comparing Mediums: Create a chart and ask students to compare the positives and negatives of each medium as they relate to different topics. This is a project in our 7th-grade resource.
Pick a Medium: Give students different situations when information needs to be shared, and ask them to discuss and pick the medium that will best serve the purpose of the message.

Teaching to the standards can begin to feel overwhelming, but we’ve created the standard product line as well as these standard-aligned blog posts to make it easier for you to plan out your year.

If you want a little more guidance on planning out your content for the year while using the standards and learning targets as your guide, read this post called How to Plan Curriculum Like a Boss!

Using High-Interest Paired Passages to Teach the Standards

Using high-interest paired passages helps you connect with your current students and engage with them on topics they actually enjoy.

I remember the day I realized I was getting older.

I was providing a real-world connection to a novel we were reading, and I mentioned someone from a high-profile event that I thought my students would know.

My students simply stared at me.

They had no idea who I was talking about.

How could that be?

I brought up a picture of the person and explained it again, certain that they had misunderstood what I said.

Then I noticed the date on the picture, and I realized that the case I was referencing took place when I was in middle school. It was not even from this decade.

That’s when I understood their confusion.

At first, I felt a little sad. I was officially old… or at least that is what my inner voice was saying.

Now, years later, I look back on that same experience with a completely different perspective.

It wasn’t that old, but it was a very old reference for my students.

Staying current is important as a teacher!

Even though I may still be a spring chick, I am old to my students, and I have to be careful to use content that they actually know and understand.

Making Connections with High-Interest Paired Passages

Now, I am much more aware of what kinds of examples I use around my students rather than using examples from ‘back in the day.’ I use recent examples that they will understand.

I have begun really focusing on finding content for lessons that align with my students’ interests and topics that are very relevant to them.

Since we do a lot of reading passage work, I often find myself looking for and creating high-interest paired passages.

When I talk about topics like video games and TikTok in passages, my students are engaged and are able to make their own connections.

Ways to use Paired Passages

We can use these types of passages to discuss all sorts of things.

They can be a springboard for a Socratic Seminar, a resource for a research paper or project, or a way to compare and contrast viewpoints.

Since each of the paired passages addresses the topic from a different angle, we can use the passages in various activities that work on a variety of standards and skills.

Some additional activities you can try with these high-interest paired passages include…

Sentence Slips
Citation Work
Research Starters
A Scavenger Hunt
Facts First

To learn more about each of these activities, read this post which explores 5 New Ways to Use Paired Passages!

New Ways to Use Paired Passages Blog Image

Paired Passage Topics to Engage with Students

Now that I am more aware of my students’ needs and interests and what kinds of topics they like to engage with, I spend time making high-interest paired passages on a variety of topics.

Here are some of the topics my students are currently into.

High-Interest Paired Passages: Kids as Influencers

Cell Phones

Each of these high-interest paired passage sets are differentiated for different grade levels and reading abilities and have built-in questions to start conversations and get students to consider the topic more thoroughly.

They are a great way to make your classroom content relevant and interesting for your students and make you feel a lot more ‘hip’ too!

Enjoy!

What Makes for a Great, Educational ELA Escape Room?

Educational ELA escape rooms are the ones that focus on content and skills as much as they do locks and keys.

Escape rooms have built up a lot of hype over the course of the last decade or so, and their educational use has exploded.

We see people designing escape rooms left and right and claiming that they are intended for educational use.

This begs the question…How are escape rooms educational?

There will, of course, always be that group of people who say that games and problem-solving opportunities of all types are educational in their own right, and that may be true. However, there is a time and place for escape rooms, and not all ELA escape rooms help students actually learn content.

So what makes for a good educational ELA escape room?

The Non-Example

Members of The Sparkly Notebook were once a part of an in-person escape room where we were given a packet of materials and a lockbox and were instructed to try to escape by getting to the information inside the box.

This escape room was fun and frustrating and required our group to work together, but in the grand scheme of the escape room, we could not actually provide any information about the content we had looked at or any of the data we shifted through as we searched for the codes.

What went wrong?

The fact of the matter is that the information itself was not tied to the codes. The code was found within the content, but it was not dependent on knowing it. Once we figured out the code, the content didn’t matter.

In one particular scenario, the code was created by the first letters of the capitalized words in the document. Once we noticed the capitalized letters, we didn’t read any of the content. We noticed that the words were capitalized right away, and we quickly guessed the code by skimming through the document and highlighting just the capitalized words.

Sign Up for a FREE plot structure digital escape room!

Content-Driven, Educational ELA Escape Rooms

ELA escape rooms (or any escape room for that matter) that separate the content from the code do not serve students in the same way that educational ELA escape rooms depend on the content to figure out the code.

For example, in this ELA Test Prep Escape Room, students have to be able to read a passage (very similar to the type of passage that they encounter in ELA standardized tests) and answer questions. Their answers to those questions create the code.

Educational ELA Escape Room Example: ELA Test Prep Escape Room

In this situation, the code is directly tied to the content. Students HAVE to do the task to escape the room.

To find the answer to the second ‘lock,’ students have to make predictions about a character’s choices based on their actions within the reading and then use the symbols next to those predictions to change the symbols into letters which in turn are the key to unlock the next ‘door.’

Each of these specific task examples requires students to not only think critically, problem-solve, and possibly work with a group but also require the students to read the information closely enough to answer questions about it, analyze it, and make predictions.

When you are looking for educational escape rooms, really look through what you want students to work on, and make sure the escape room is challenging them both with content and with the ‘locks’ themselves.

A good educational escape room is focused on classroom content, and learning that presents students with a mental challenge and focuses on the skills that your students specifically need to practice.

As you begin to “Plan Your Curriculum Like a Boss,” consider how the activities you’re adding support the learning and standards within your classroom, and find some great, educational ELA escape rooms that align with your goals.

If you’re interested and you want to see a full list of our Educational ELA Escape Rooms, click here!

Preparing Middle School Students for Standardized Tests: Checklists

Preparing middle school students for standardized tests can seem like an overwhelming task, but when you plan and review with specific standards in mind using these checklists, you can put your mind at ease, knowing that you have not left any standard behind.

Standardized tests are used throughout the United States to check whether students are meeting core competencies and mastering standards.

Most teachers would agree that standardized tests are not the best way of showing student skills.

Unfortunately, it is part of the game that we have to play as educators.

Since it is a necessary evil, and probably will be for a while, we need to know how we can prepare middle school students for standardized tests without too much ‘teaching to the test.’

This is something we’ve considered a lot over the last couple of years, and we here at The Sparkly Notebook have several resources that can be really helpful for middle school teachers who find themselves in these situations.

Measuring Student Mastery of Standards

When push comes to shove, standardized tests are not a mystery.

We know what the test will measure and what students are expected to know (i.e., the standards). So, we highly suggest using that information (along with some helpful checklists) to gauge whether or not your students are ready to go.

Standard Checklists for Documenting Proficiencies

Throughout the school year, using standard checklists to keep track of your students’ strengths and weaknesses can be very helpful.

If you’ve never used a standards checklist before, no worries!

We have standards checklists available for each middle school grade level.

6th Grade Standards Checklist

7th Grade Standards Checklist

8th Grade Standards Checklist

These checklists breakdown the key terms used for each standard, planning sheets for identifying when each standard will be taught (or how it will be taught) during each unit, comparison charts for identifying how the standard compares to previous years (or following years), and a sheet for planning how you will spiral standards throughout the school year.

To learn more about how we work toward helping our students master the standards, take a moment to look through this post!

Using checklists like these should not start at testing time. In fact, many Sparkly Notebook followers use these standard checklists to plan their entire year; however, if it is getting close to testing time and you have not been using these checklists, don’t worry. All is not lost.

Start by printing or downloading the checklist.

Next, review each standard, putting a ‘1’ next to the standards you feel your students do well and a ‘2’ next to the standards you know your students have practiced, but they could also be standards you know your students could use more work. Finally, put a ‘3’ next to the standards you are not sure you covered at all.

Prioritize your learning to the ‘2s’ and ‘3s’ on your list using standards-focused activities and lessons.

Supplementing with Standard-Focused Resources

If you are getting closer to testing season, and there is a standard that your students are really struggling with, bring in a unit or lesson that specifically focuses on mastering that standard.

The Sparkly Notebook has created a whole line of resources specifically built around each standard.

And they are game changers!!

If you find yourself in a position where your students just don’t seem to be getting a concept, but you don’t have a good focused lesson to support that concept, then you can just jump into the store and grab the exact resource you need to give your students exactly the standard they need to focus on.

Click here to take a closer look at the 8th Grade Resources.

Click here to take a closer look at the 7th Grade Resources.

Preparing middle school students for standardized tests can feel like a task that won’t end, but don’t worry! We’ve got your back! It truly is just three steps.

Step 1: Start with the checklists.

Step 2: Prioritize the standards you still need to focus on.

Step 3: Grab the resources you need to support that learning.

It is simple as that!

Preparing your Middle School Students for their Standardized Tests [ELA]

Here are our top 3 tips for preparing your middle school students for their standardized ELA tests.

Although most teachers are not fond of yearly standardized tests, we acknowledge that, as of right now, they are a part of the educational system in the United States. So we are doing our best to make sure our students are ready to rock those tests!

Preparing your middle school students for their standardized tests can seem like a daunting feat. However, really good test prep comes down to accomplishing 3 specific goals.

Relieving Stress: Many students will be very overwhelmed and uncertain about taking standardized tests. So…one part of preparing your middle school students for their standardized tests must be telling them what to expect.
Giving Tools: If you have any test-creator secrets, this is the time to share them. Any helpful hacks or tools should be a part of your pre-test planning.
Planning to Win: Your students can’t ‘win’ at testing time if they are not adequately prepared. Just as athletes train, practice, and learn new skills, your students must have the proper training if they are going to ‘win’ the test. That means they need explicit instructions on skills and concepts related to the standards.

Pin Image - three students working on a test together. Text states "Test Prep with Paired Passages - Middle School ELA"

Let’s go into each of these 3 goals a little deeper, shall we?

#1 | Know the Test

You need to make decisions about test prep season through the lens of the test itself.

Spend some time getting to know the test your students will take.

Is it online or is it paper/pencil?
Can they use a note sheet?
Can they write on it? Highlight it?
Is it all multiple-choice?
How long are the reading passages?
What kinds of questions are typically asked?
How many questions are there?
Is it timed?
What happens to the questions that remain unanswered after the time is up?

If you know the answers to these questions, you can help your students manage some of their test stress. Preparing your middle school students for standardized tests means talking to them about each of these pieces of information. Give them all the information you have about the tests and tips on what to do during specific testing situations.

For example, If you know that every question that is unanswered after time is up is counted wrong, then encourage students to guess on the questions they aren’t sure about, and make sure every question has an answer.

If you know the test includes a lot of passages, tell your students how to appropriately manage time during those types of questions.

Helpful Hack: If your tests use a lot of passage-based reading questions, then you’ll want to spend some extra time working with and answering questions based on passages. These paired passages are a fantastic resource when preparing for these tests!!

To learn a few additional tips and tricks for using paired passages for test prep, check out this post!

Knowing the test is one of the best ways to support your students.

Note: Make sure you follow all testing laws and guidelines for your test. Do not give students any questions from the actual test they will take. Always check with the upper powers about what is acceptable and use practice tests and testing websites to learn information when possible.

#2 | Think Like a Test Writer

If you have any knowledge about what goes into writing or creating tests, share them with your students. Talk about your time in “Teacher School” and what they taught you about creating a test for students.

One test-creator inside tip we like to share with our students is that of the 4 questions on a multiple-choice test, usually, two are clearly wrong, one is the right answer, and one is the distractor.

If you can minimally narrow down the answers to the distractor and the answer, you now have a 50/50 shot. You also know that one of the answers was specifically designed to make you think twice, so you can review the information provided specifically about those two answers to make an educated guess if needed.

If you have any other great “Test Creator” hacks, we’d love to hear about them, but your students NEED to hear them, so start giving away those industry secrets!

#3 | Standard-Focused Activities

This one may seem obvious, but it is important to say.

Make sure you are covering the standards regularly as part of your classroom instruction.

Standardized tests are not intended to surprise students or confuse them. They are simply supposed to test their understanding and application of the standards.

If you are using the standards to guide your instruction, and you have managed to cover all the standards well, then your students will be ready for the test.

The spring semester is a great time of the year to revisit all the standards. You can get in some quick assessments. Then see what you need to touch on more to have the biggest impact.

If you find your students are lacking on a specific standard, find a resource like one of the standards-focused resources below to explicitly work on that content before testing time rolls around.

Click for the 7th-grade bundle.

Click for the 8th-grade resources.

In addition to these standards-focused resources, we also have a great ELA Test Prep Digital Escape Room that will allow students test-like practice in a fun, escape room atmosphere. This is a fun activity to cycle into your test prep work.

Preparing your middle school students for standardized tests-ELA Test Prep Escape Room

Wrapping Up

Preparing your middle school students for standardized tests is a big part of the spring semester. However, don’t let it overwhelm your class time!

Talk to your students about testing, but make sure to pump them up rather than stress them out.

Remind them over and over that they are in fact ready for this! They have all the skills to conquer the test! Your confidence will give them confidence!

Happy Testing!

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test prep

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#3 | Standard-Focused Activities

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Wrapping Up

@thesparklynotebook

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