Ace Your Math Test: Strategies for Success!

Mathematics Grades 4th Grade 2:13 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

Learn essential test-taking strategies through a fun and catchy song! This lesson covers important techniques like estimation, elimination, inverse operations, and labeling to help you succeed on your math tests.

Video Resource

Test Prep Song | Math Test Taking Strategies | STAAR & SBAC

Math Songs by NUMBEROCK

Duration: 2:13
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Estimation
  • Elimination
  • Inverse Operations
  • Labeling Units
  • Concentration and Perseverance

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and apply estimation strategies to solve math problems.
  • Students will be able to use the process of elimination to narrow down multiple-choice answers.
  • Students will be able to use inverse operations to check the accuracy of their solutions.
  • Students will be able to correctly label their answers with appropriate units.
  • Students will understand the importance of concentration and perseverance when taking a test.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by discussing the importance of test-taking strategies. Ask students about their experiences with math tests and any challenges they face. Introduce the NUMBEROCK video as a fun way to learn helpful tips.
  • Video Viewing (3 mins)
    Play the NUMBEROCK 'Test Prep Song' video. Encourage students to listen carefully to the lyrics and identify the different test-taking strategies mentioned.
  • Discussion (7 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a class discussion about the strategies presented. Ask students to explain each strategy in their own words and provide examples of when they might use them.
  • Practice Problems (10 mins)
    Provide students with a worksheet containing math problems. Instruct them to use the strategies from the video to solve the problems. Encourage them to show their work and explain their reasoning.
  • Review and Wrap-Up (5 mins)
    Review the answers to the practice problems as a class. Emphasize the importance of using the strategies consistently to improve test performance. Encourage students to use these strategies in future math assignments and tests.

Interactive Exercises

  • Elimination Game
    Present a math problem with four multiple-choice answers. Guide students to eliminate incorrect answers one by one based on estimation or other strategies.
  • Inverse Operation Check
    After students solve a problem, have them use the inverse operation to check their answer. For example, if they added, they should subtract to check.

Discussion Questions

  • What is your biggest challenge when taking a math test?
  • Why is it important to read the question carefully?
  • How can estimation help you solve a math problem?
  • What are inverse operations, and how can they help you check your work?
  • Why is labeling your answer important?

Skills Developed

  • Problem-Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Test-Taking Strategies
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is one way to narrow down the answer choices on a multiple-choice test?

Correct Answer: Elimination

Question 2:

What should you do if you multiplied to solve a problem? What operation can check your work?

Correct Answer: Divide

Question 3:

According to the video, what should you always do when answering a question?

Correct Answer: Label the unit

Question 4:

What should you do before you even start answering a math problem?

Correct Answer: Underline important information

Question 5:

Why is it important to keep your attention when taking a math test?

Correct Answer: To make fewer mistakes

Question 6:

If you are adding numbers, what inverse operation will you use to check your work?

Correct Answer: Subtraction

Question 7:

What is a good way to see if your answer makes sense in a word problem?

Correct Answer: Use estimation

Question 8:

When labeling units, what should you do if your answer is about money?

Correct Answer: Draw a dollar sign ($)

Question 9:

What can you draw to clarify what a question is asking?

Correct Answer: A picture

Question 10:

According to the song, what kind of human do you need to be?

Correct Answer: A+ human

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

When you've found your answer, use the ________ operation to check it.

Correct Answer: inverse

Question 2:

Always ________ the unit when you answer a question.

Correct Answer: label

Question 3:

Carefully ________ the question that's written.

Correct Answer: read

Question 4:

Use ________ to narrow down the choices through elimination.

Correct Answer: estimation

Question 5:

Keep in mind a problem's never ________ until it's checked.

Correct Answer: done

Question 6:

If you subtracted, check it with ________.

Correct Answer: addition

Question 7:

Drawing ________ can clarify the situation.

Correct Answer: pictures

Question 8:

Maintain your highest level of ________.

Correct Answer: concentration

Question 9:

Follow through each problem with ________.

Correct Answer: determination

Question 10:

Consider the choices you are ________.

Correct Answer: given

Educational Standards

4.N.2.4:Apply and analyze models to solve multi-step problems requiring the use of addition, subtraction, and multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers. Use various strategies, including the relationship between operations, the use of appropriate technology, and the context of the problem to assess the reasonableness of results. 4.N.2.3:Estimate products of 3-digit by 1-digit and 2-digit by 2-digit whole number factors using a variety of strategies (e.g., rounding, front end estimation, adjusting, compatible numbers) to assess the reasonableness of results. Explore larger numbers using technology to investigate patterns.

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans