5 Tips for 5th Grade Science STAAR Test Prep with Task Cards: A Worksheet Alternative

I’ve been there. I copied giant packets of science worksheets thinking it would help prepare for 5th Grade Science STAAR. It didn’t. Students passed but that was in spite of me rather than because of careful planning.

As educators, we want our students to be prepared for state tests like Science STAAR but we also don’t want to overload them with meaningless practice questions.

Science Worksheet Packets vs. Task Cards

Test Prep Task Cards are my happy medium. Students practice answering rigorous questions using their strategies. But we can leave the monotony of worksheets packets behind.

Task Cards are simply questions on cards. For test prep, I make all of mine multiple choice.

Try them in a station, in a small group setting, or with your whole class.

OR use the Google Forms option included in all 17 sets!

Here are 5 tried and true tips for how I’ve successfully used Test Prep Task Cards.

1. Use fewer questions. Quality over quantity!

I focus on using fewer questions because I want the questions to be more challenging. I do include some moderate-difficulty questions for building confidence. I don’t want to have any glance-and-answer questions where you can just take a guess and move on.

My task card sets include 20 questions. They generally increase in difficulty from 1-20.

 

2. Play a board game.

Have students play a board game 1 against 1 or 2 against 2. Connect 4 is an easy game for partners, but other board games can also work!

Students flip a task card over and have both students write their answers on a whiteboard. If they get it right, they get to place their tokens in the Connect 4 game board. If they both get it right, who gets to go first?  Roll a die; the highest number goes first.

 

3. Print enough for each team to write directly on the question.

It’s a lot of paper. I know. But if they are taking a written version of the STAAR, you’ll want them to practice writing down their strategies.

Tech idea! You can upload the card for students to “write on” using on iPads.

 

4. My favorite whole class game

1. Divide your class into teams of no more than 4 students (I like teams of 3).⠀
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2. Each team has a score sheet and set of task cards. I printed them on different colors for each team to make things easier to keep track of. Stack the task cards in order.⠀
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3. Go over your expectations. Mine were 1 point for reading aloud with everyone looking at the card before writing anything down, 1 point for underlining three keywords or phrases, 1 point for the correct answer, and 1 point for their written reasoning. Students write directly on the question as preparation for their written STAAR test. Teams could earn a total of 4 points per question.⠀OPTION: Ask for verbal reasoning!
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4. When a team finishes, they check in with me. I have their score sheets lined up. I look over it and assign points. If the answer is incorrect, I can address misconceptions. If it’s right, they get their points. Then they get the next card.⠀
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5. Throughout the game, we *pause* and do a Minute to Win It game for bonus points. It might be when the class collectively reaches a certain number of points or just as needed.⠀
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6. The game is over when you say so. 😄⠀

Download my editable score sheet. You need one sheet per team.

If you have a lot of teams:

Don’t cut the cards. Leave them 2 or 4 to a page. Have teams see you after they finish the WHOLE PAGE for scoring.

Spice it up!

• Make it an egg hunt.
• Complete the task outside.
• Make it into a mission or themed activity with their interests.
• Include Minute to Win It! games throughout for bonus points.

 

5. Easy-Peasy 5th Grade Science STAAR Review Game

Short on time? No prep needed here!

Play a review game in which teams get points for correct answers. Project a question and have all teams discuss it with their teammates for a reasonable time.

Keep all members of the team accountable for the team’s answer by assigning each team member a number 1-4.

When it’s time to share the answer, randomly draw one of the numbers.  The students with the number drawn report the response on a dry-erase board.

Spice it up!

• Repurpose an old board game. When teams get answers correct, allow them to roll a die to move along a game board in a race to the finish!
• Get a small basketball hoop and let teams shoot for a bonus point when they get a question correct.
• Try Whole Class Connect 4.

 

5th Grade Science STAAR Test Prep Task Cards

If you need test prep task cards that are rigorous and ready to go, I’ve got you covered with 5th Grade Science Test Prep Task Cards.

Designed with 5th grade STAAR in mind, these versatile test prep task cards are perfect for review games!

What sets these task cards apart?

These task cards do not have your typical “glance and answer” questions. More analysis is required to address the process TEKS and the content TEKS. The task cards typically increase in rigor as you make your way from the first to the last question. 

Take a closer look at 5th Grade Science Test Prep Task Cards: