7-Day BOOST Challenge, Get Students Ready to Ace Their Tests -

By Shannon at the Southern Schoolhouse

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a classroom before end-of-year testing, you will know exactly what I’m talking about in this article. In the final nine weeks of the school year, we begin to take steps to provide that crucial final push for students, ensuring they feel confident and ready as they approach their tests. Teachers are actively reviewing key concepts, vocabulary, teaching essential test-taking strategies, and providing support in numerous ways to ensure students are fully prepared. Despite all these efforts, one crucial element that is often still missing is student motivation. I’ve witnessed this repeatedly, time and time again.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with creative ideas for a 7-day motivational challenge to boost your students’ motivation as they prepare for their upcoming test. These simple but effective strategies will help keep them engaged and motivated as they work toward success.

Before the challenge starts, I would create a motivational bulletin board or wall to display the tip for the day. This could be something you as a class come up with on what items to add to the tips for each day. This will just be a visual reminder for them.

Day 1: Friday Kick-Off – “Let’s Get Started!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “Let’s Get Started with a POP of Energy!”
- “Welcome to Day 1 of our 7-day Boost Challenge! Today is all about kicking things off with excitement, setting a positive tone, and getting ready to bring your best self to each day. Let’s build momentum!”

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- Today’s Tool: Pop It Toy 🎉
- “Grab your Pop It and with each POP release your stress and worries! Every time you accomplish something today, pop a bubble. It’s a fun way to celebrate small victories and motivate you to always do your best!”

Book of the Day
- “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires
  - Just like the main character in “The Most Magnificent Thing”, kids can use the Pop It toy as a tool to celebrate their small victories as they go through the day. Every pop can symbolize a step closer to their big goal, just like the girl in the book keeps trying and eventually creates something magnificent!

Brain Break Activity:
- Pop It Dance Party
  - Take a quick break and turn on some upbeat music. Pop it while you dance! This fun, energetic activity will get your blood pumping and your mood lifted!

Day 2: Motivation Monday – “You’ve Got This!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “You’ve Got This!”
To kick off the challenge, remind students that they are capable and prepared to succeed. Motivation is key on the first day, as it sets the tone for the days to come until the test. Help your students visualize their success and feel empowered as they dive into their prep for the tests.

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- “Today’s Tool: A Smartie Candy 🍬”
- “Pop a Smartie candy in your mouth and take a moment to remember: you are SMART, you are READY, and you are prepared for this challenge!”
This fun tool adds a sweet and playful touch to the day, while reinforcing the positive message of confidence and readiness.

Book of the Day:
- “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds
  - As students enjoy their Smartie candy and remind themselves that they are smart, ready, and prepared, “The Dot” reinforces the idea that just like Vashti, they can accomplish great things if they believe in their abilities and take small steps forward each day.

Brain Break Activity:
- Smartie Time
  - While eating your Smartie, complete “The Paper on Your Back” activity. Put your name at the top and have classmates write positive notes on your back. Then tape to the side of the desk for a reminder that you are important!

Day 3: Tip Tuesday- Stay Focused!

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “Stay Focused!”
Today’s challenge is all about maintaining focus during your test prep. It’s easy to get distracted or overwhelmed, but with the right tools and mindset, you can stay sharp and ready to tackle any challenge.

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- “Today’s Sensory Tool: Fidget Spinner 🌀 (if this does not work for your class you can use a type of stress ball).”
- “Twirl your fidget spinner and take a moment to clear your mind. Let it help you release any tension or anxious energy so you can refocus. You’ve got this!
The fidget spinner is a fun and effective sensory tool that helps release anxious energy and improve focus. During study time, if you start to feel distracted or your concentration starts to slip, take a quick break with your fidget spinner. It’s a great way to relax and recharge.

Book of the Day:
- “Fix It With Focus” by Bryan Smith and Lisa M Griffin
- A fidget spinner is as a tool to help refocus when attention slips. In “Fix It with Focus”, the character learns different strategies to help him get back on track as well.

Brain Break Activity:
- Fidget Spinner Freeze Dance
  - Play a short upbeat song and do a freeze dance but with a twist! Everyone spins their spinner and when their spinner stops they have to freeze. You goal is to be the last one dancing!

Day 4: Wisdom Wednesday – “It’s Okay to Make Mistakes!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “It’s Okay to Make Mistakes”
Mistakes are a natural part of learning, but they’re also valuable opportunities for growth.
- “Today, we’re focusing on how mistakes help you grow and get closer to reaching your goals.”

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- Today’s Sensory Tool: Mini Erasers! ✏️
These little erasers are a fun reminder that mistakes are part of the process. Just like you can erase something on paper, you can “erase” your mistakes, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
- “When you make a mistake, don’t stress! Erase it, fix it, and keep going. Remember, mistakes are not problems, they are ways to learn and improve. Every mistake helps you become better and smarter.”

Book of the Day: You choose!
- “The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes” by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
  - Just like how Beatrice “fixes” her mistake and keeps going, the mini erasers can be a fun, tangible reminder that mistakes can be corrected. Children can erase their mistakes and move forward, just like Beatrice learns to do in the story.
- “Eraser” by Anna Kang
  - Just like Eraser in the book, sometimes we don’t feel like the “star” of the show. Pencil makes the marks, but Eraser? She’s the one helping everyone learn from their mistakes. At first, she doesn’t see her own value… until she realizes that erasing isn’t erasing success, it’s part of building it.

Brain Break Activity:
- Mini Eraser Toss Game
  - Create a target on the floor or table with different point values. Students get a few tries to gently toss their mini eraser onto the target. If they miss, they try again. Praise the effort reminding them it’s okay to miss the mark, as long as they keep trying!

Day 5: Throwback Thursday – “Reflect on How Far You’ve Come!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “Reflect on How Far You’ve Come!”
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of a test, but it’s just as important to look back and celebrate how much progress has been made.
- “Today is all about recognizing your hard work and celebrating your achievements, no matter how small they might seem.”

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- Today’s Tool: Jelly Beans 🍭
What better way to celebrate than with a little treat? Jelly beans are the perfect reminder that there’s always a sweet reward for every effort you make.
- “Remember, small wins add up. Whether you’ve learned a new concept or worked through a tough problem, take time to acknowledge your success. These little moments of victory lead to big achievements in the end!”

Book of the Day:
- “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss
  - The jelly beans is your tool to celebrate progress, much like the book encourages celebrating the milestones and progress throughout life’s journey. Every success, big or small, deserves to be recognized, and in the book, Dr. Seuss gives a reminder to enjoy the moments along the way.

Brain Break Activity:
- Sweet Success Scavenger Hunt
  - Hide positive notes around the room. Partner the students and give them clues on how to find each one in different parts of the room.

Day 6: Fun Friday – “Keep Going Don’t Give Up!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “Keep Going Don’t Give Up!”
Whether your test starts on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, it is always nice to take the day before the test to relax from all the hard work from the week. This is also a good day to remind them to keep going during the test and don’t give up.
- “It’s Friday! You’ve been working hard all week, and now it’s time to keep that energy up as you head into your test. Let’s make the final push with some fun motivation to remind you that you’re ready for anything!

Provide a tool to go along with that tip:
- Today’s Tool: Lollipop 🍭 – “One Question at a Time”
- “This lollipop is a reminder that whenever you feel overwhelmed or stuck, think about your lollipop and remind yourself: “Take it one question at a time.” Just like enjoying a lollipop slowly, you can take your time with each question and do your best!”

Book of the Day:
- “Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg
  - The lollipop reminds us to take it slow and enjoying the process, just like the girl in the story enjoys working through her project step by step. When students feel overwhelmed during their test, the lollipop reminder will help them slow down and focus on one question at a time, just as the character does when facing challenges.

Brain Break Activity:
- Don’t Drop the Lollipop Relay
  - Give each student a plastic spoon and their lollipop. Set up a relay where they must walk carefully across the room without dropping their “lollipop.” If it drops, remind them to keep trying and don’t give up!

Day 7: Mindful Monday – “Glow Up For the Test!”

Motivational tip for the day:
- “Today’s motivational tip: “Glow Up For the Test!”
- “Tomorrow’s the big day! Today is all about preparing yourself in a calm and fun way, so you feel ready and confident for your test. Let’s shine a light on your hard work!”

Today’s Tool: Glow Stick ✨
- “A glow stick is a perfect reminder that you’ve got the spark to succeed. It’s bright and fun, just like the awesome effort you’ve put in preparing!
How to Use It:
- “Activate your glow stick and keep it somewhere you can see it, like on your desk or on your wrist if it is a bracelet. Every time you look at it, think: “I am ready. I am prepared. I will shine tomorrow!” The glow stick will remind you that you have everything you need to succeed and that you can glow with confidence!”

Book of the Day:
- “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers
  - The glow stick represents brightness and confidence, just like the book emphasizes that children should see themselves as strong and capable. The glow stick reminds students of their preparedness and potential to shine during their test.

Glow Party
- At our school, we have fun and energizing Glow Party! During the students special area time (art, music, P.E., etc.), each grade level gets to head to the gym, where the lights are low, the music is playing, and everything is glowing! The specials teachers set up an exciting atmosphere with glow sticks, neon decorations, and dance-worthy music. It’s a great way for students to relax and recognize their hard work throughout the week.

This is only an example for you. Our school usually starts testing on Tuesday so that is why I started the challenge on a Friday. You also can change out the tool for other things. Below you will find some more examples to use.