Testing season is coming up. This can be very nerve-wracking for kids and even teachers! Oftentimes those fears overtake students’ confidence. But picture books can help ease that anxiety. Here are some of my favorite books about test taking.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Books About Test Taking video on my Youtube channel.
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Books About Test Taking
The Anti-Test Anxiety Society by Julia Cook
BB is a pretty happy kid…until she has to take a test. She starts to sweat, her stomach aches and her face turns red. BB decides that TEST stands for Terrible Every Single Time. Then her teacher invites her to the Anti-Test Anxiety Society. In this program she learns 12 test taking strategies to help her not worry so much. And now? TEST stands for Think Every Situation Through!
Testing Miss Malarkey by Judy Finchler
It’s testing time in Miss Malarkey’s class! All the adults say “don’t worry” and “it’s not a big deal,” but they are acting awfully strange. The gym teacher is doing stress-reducing yoga. Parents are giving pop quizzes at bedtime and the cafeteria workers are serving brain food at lunch. Students start to think that maybe this test IS important after all. A silly book that pokes fun at the commotion surrounding big tests.
The Big Test by Julie Danneberg
The Big Test is part of the First Day Jitters series. Students are getting ready to take the End of the Year test. Mrs. Hartwell knows that they are fully prepared. But, she also realizes that her students are feeling nervous. Mrs. Hartwell then teaches them the most important skill – how to relax! I love how this book shows how a good teacher knows how to reach her students and support them when they need it most.
The Smart Cookie by Jory John
In The Smart Cookie, the young cookie never feels smart, no matter how hard she tries. But, with a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence, can she find her strengths? This book shares a great lesson in understanding where you shine. The Smart Cookie stresses that perfect scores and all the right answers don’t always equal intelligence.
Henry & Mudge Take the Big Test by Cynthia Rylant
Henry enrolls Mudge in dog school. But, Mudge isn’t the perfect student. The last day of school is the big test and Henry is worried that Mudge won’t do well. This is a great book to look at test taking outside of the classroom walls. Your students will be cheering Mudge on!
Need more read alouds? Check out these books about feeling worried as well!
