I've taken some of the ideas shared on PT or on other listservs (and even made up some of these) according to the candies I've happened to find for little treats to give my students before the stress-filled state tests. For the past few years, I made some pages of very simple cards to give to my students with their little treats each morning before the testing starts. (Our state testing starts next week. So far, we haven't been told we are forbidden to give them anything, so I'm not going to ask... and I'm not gonna tell, either! !) If it's not allowed at school, you might choose to give these to your own children (pack them in their lunch as a surprise?) before they head off to school for their state tests.
Just in case there are a few schools out there where you might still be able to give edible treats, I'm posting these pages to share. If I get time... or find some other treats later, I'll add whatever I make. Knowing that we each have different fonts on our computers, I changed my own pages to basic fonts that most computers might have like Times, Comic Sans, Verdana, and Tahoma. (Remember, they're very plain, but you can dress them up with color and add more flair using your own computer's more decorative fonts once you have them downloaded.)
MOUNDS candy-It's time to show off the MOUNDS of learning inside your head!
Too bad I can't post these in some of the more decorative fonts, but here are the ones you thought of... I know you'll rock the test today because none of you are AIR-HEADS.
for my daughter's Academic Superbowl Team. I made a big poster and taped an actual wrapper where the name of the produst was. I then packed a cooler with G2 Gatorades and a bag with all the candy. I think I can remember the whole poster...
I hope these treats will give you EXTRA (gum) brain power today. We know you will do well because you are all such SMARTIES but, you never act like NERDS. In fact you are sooo smart you never have to be CHEETOS.
G2 (gee too) bad the other teams don't have a chance against you.
I think I had something else on the poster but, I can't think of it right now.
I have done "wash out the TAKS" and hung it on a water bottle
I also did "CRUNCH the TAKS" with a crunch bar
Other candy bars I have used are 100 grand "You are 100 GRAND".
My all time favorite that is not food is the magic pencil. My kids loved it and I think they really believed the pencil was magic! I gave them a pencil with the tag taped to it. Apparently you can't dothis anymore on test day in Texas. I don't teach a TAKS grade anymore. I would just give it to them the day before.
I love that several others are posting their ideas, as well! Thanks, everybody!
kenworthyk, I get a big kick out of making 'candy message' posters similar to the one you described for birthdays, farewells or other occasions! I use the actual candies so it can get to be quite embarrassing buying all that candy! When I made the signs for the secretaries, I had to make about 6 different signs and I felt so guilty, that I found myself explaining to the cashier that the candies weren't for me! What was fun was to see how long the secretaries could each resist eating the various candies. The first ones to go tended to be the chocolate ones, of course! I can't say that I blame them!! I got more of those same funny looks when I made 5 more candy message posters for teachers who were leaving our school a few years back. (You'd think I'd get used to the 'looks' I get! )
Hey abbylane08! After I finish posting this message, I'm going to go make some 'bottle signs' with your idea! It's perfect timing, because I was going to give my students bottles of water (if they don't already have them) so they wouldn't be such a novelty by the time we start testing. THANKS A LOT for that idea!!
roo, I'm going to be using your idea to "Blow away the test", too! Although the things I've used in the past are new to my current group of students, I'm excited to be using these new ideas I'm finding on this thread!
EXTRA gum: Work EXTRA hard to make the best choice on the SOLS.
I usually start giving these out at the end of the day starting the five days before the tests start and then every night before the next test, so I usually end up doing 9 or 10 of them.
I read your post today about the candy/message posters you made for your secretaries. I think that is a cute idea. I have been in charge of National Education Week at our school. I am always looking for new ideas for the adminstration and faculty. Would you mind sharing which candy bars/candy you use for the secretaries/janitors/teachers/retirements, etc? Also, the sayings you use for each of them. Thanks for all your help in advance. I love your ideas! Keep posting.
04-22-2008, 11:57 PM
!) If it's not allowed at school, you might choose to give these to your own children (pack them in their lunch as a surprise?) before they head off to school for their state tests.
MOUNDS candy-It's time to show off the MOUNDS of learning inside your head!
I know you'll rock the test today because none of you are Air-heads.
that several others are posting their ideas, as well! Thanks, everybody!
When I made the signs for the secretaries, I had to make about 6 different signs and I felt so guilty, that I found myself explaining to the cashier that the candies weren't for me! 
)
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