Table Top Dividers for Tests... and Other Activities.

Well... two firsts have occurred!
First first: My real life got in the way of my blogging life. And I have to say I didn't like it!

Testing is a week away and it seems as if I am either trying to teach forty-three skills before The Test, or I am trying to design an interesting way to review eighty-seven skills before The Big Day (and the three that follow!)

Second first: I just found out how difficult it is to take pictures of cardboard and plywood. Who knew?!
And that's what this post is about!


After teaching a million thirty years, I am continually amazed that some of my best teaching skills and materials have been acquired in the last five years. I have often found myself saying (out loud/to myself): Why didn't I learn THAT earlier?!

And so it is with my plywood and cardboard combo.

I have tried a lot of test dividers. I've purchased some, borrowed some and created some. And then a few years ago, I saw this variation in a first grade room. I borrowed one of the "bases" and asked a handy daddy {rolls eyes}  to re-create a set.

The "bases" are 1 x 4 inches One zip down the center with a table saw and we were ready to go!

And the "chipboard" is 9 by 12 inches. The cardboard can be placed in the base horizontally or vertically--depending on what you are planning to do.

We use the dividers for tests all year long. In fact, it is commonplace for a student to say, "Should I pass out out blocks and boards?"

Best of all, these little gems are called into service for other activities too! We use them when we play a game called Map-O, where we practice using latitude and longitude in a "Battleship" knock off that we call "Gereenpeace." (And Farley's Angry Birds game springs to mind, as well!)

We use these when we practice following directions to have students create "matching pictures."

We use them for any partner game where we say, "One two, three, reveal!"

Best of all when we are not hiding our work from one another, these become our mobile clipboards.  Cheap--and not a disaster if they are accidentally destroyed or left behind.


Back to testing...
I've currently adorned our dividers for our practice testing. The kids enjoy the encouragement--and have looked forward to a different character each day. (And I always love a chance to smile at DJ Inkers graphics!)

During REAL testing, of course, our blocks-and-boards will be blank. No print allowed.

We already have most things removed and/or covered up, and everything will be down next week. Our classroom looks pretty drab and bare these days!
Lately, I have found myself laughing every time I see words printed on apparel.
Will I need to say: Here is some masking tape to cover up that word on your shoe. We wouldn't want to remind people to use a capital letter in brand names...

Or: You will need to turn your shirt inside out--those words might be on The Test--no spelling or punctuation clues allowed...

There are words hidden in funny places in our room too. Today I noticed the heater is labeled!

Then again, every child can get a word of encouragement if you are lucky enough to have a SMART board... and it doesn't have to be turned on!


If you haven't finished yet, GOOD LUCK on The Test. And if you are lucky enough to be done, CONGRATS!