"HOW THE TEST WAS WON"

The state testing is always very stressful for the students in my class. In order to make this a relaxing activity to get us back into the swing of things, I dig out the digital camera, set it on sepia tone and let the kids have fun with it.

The students are introduced to the Old West days when "Wanted" posters were pasted everywhere in order to help catch a criminal. We discuss why this would have been the best way to get the word out.

By using some examples of wording, the students get an idea of how a poster would have looked. (After a brief discussion students usually realize they have seen these before even if it is only from a cartoon.) Students can decide what they want to be "wanted" for and come up with a catchy nickname. My only catch is that their crime must have something to do with the testing that they just completed.

The students then create their story line. By using the five "W" question words and one "H," the students are able to create a short wanted poster that somehow relates to the test. The students pose for their wanted poster with the help of a few props (ie. cowboy hat, bandanna, sheriff badge).

By implementing Microsoft Word the students are able to create a computer generated poster with different fonts that looks very professional when they are finished.
We print these on glossy paper and hang them in the hallway. Most students get a big laugh seeing themselves and their friends disguised in this way.