Top 6 Activities to Keep Your Students Engaged After State Testing

State testing is finally over, and both teachers and students can breathe a sigh of relief. However, the weeks between testing and the last day of school can be challenging. Without the structure and motivation provided by testing preparation, students may become restless, and teachers may find it difficult to keep engagement levels high. This period, however, presents a golden opportunity to reinforce learning in creative and meaningful ways, allowing students to end the school year on a high note.

Here are several strategies and activities to keep students engaged and excited about learning until the very last day of school.

1. Project-Based Learning (PBL)

One of the best ways to maintain engagement is through hands-on, student-driven projects. Project-based learning allows students to explore topics that interest them while applying critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.

• Passion Projects: Give students the chance to choose a topic they’re passionate about and create a presentation, poster, or digital project to showcase their learning.

• STEM Challenges: Engage students with engineering challenges such as building bridges with popsicle sticks, designing parachutes, or constructing paper roller coasters.

• Classroom Business: Have students create their own classroom business, complete with marketing strategies, budgets, and products or services.

2. Creative Writing and Storytelling

Encouraging students to use their imagination can reignite their enthusiasm for learning.

• Write a Letter to Next Year’s Class: Have students write advice and encouragement for the incoming class.

• Student-Authored Books: Let students create their own books, either individually or as a class, complete with illustrations and a published version using online platforms like Book Creator.

• Choose Your Own Adventure Stories: Encourage students to write interactive stories where readers can make choices that change the outcome.

3. Outdoor Learning and Exploration

With warm weather arriving, taking learning outside can be refreshing and exciting.

• Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of natural objects for students to find on a walk around the school grounds.

• Outdoor Math Games: Use chalk to create hopscotch math problems or set up relay races that involve solving equations.

• Classroom Garden: If possible, start a small garden where students can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables and learn about plant life cycles.

4. Themed Days and Special Events

A little creativity in planning daily themes can boost engagement and make the days fly by.

• STEM Day: Dedicate a day to science experiments, coding activities, and engineering challenges.

• Cultural Celebration Day: Allow students to share about their cultural backgrounds through presentations, food, or music.

• Game Show Day: Turn review activities into exciting game shows like “Jeopardy!” or “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

• Mystery Week: Have students solve a classroom mystery by gathering clues and using logic and teamwork.

5. Arts and Creativity

Incorporating the arts can keep students motivated and allow them to express themselves.

• End-of-Year Mural: Have students collaborate on a large piece of artwork that represents their favorite memories from the school year.

• Talent Show: Organize a class or grade-level talent show where students can showcase their unique skills.

• Classroom Play or Skit: Let students write and perform their own plays or skits.

6. Student-Directed Learning

Allowing students to take ownership of their learning can be highly motivating.

• Teach the Teacher: Let students prepare and teach a short lesson on a topic they know well.

• Independent Research Projects: Give students the opportunity to research a topic of their choice and present their findings.

• Choice Boards: Provide a menu of activities and let students choose what interests them most.

Conclusion

The weeks following state testing don’t have to be a struggle. By incorporating hands-on projects, creativity, movement, and student choice, teachers can keep students engaged and excited about learning until the very last day. This is a time to reinforce skills, build lasting memories, and celebrate the hard work of the school year. With the right activities, students will leave feeling accomplished, inspired, and eager for the adventures ahead.

What activities do you use to keep students engaged after state testing? Share your ideas in the comments below!