Testing Miss Malarkey is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"Testing Miss Malarkey" by Judy Finchler is a humorous and relatable children's book that tackles the topic of standardized testing in schools. The story revolves around a dedicated and beloved teacher, Miss Malarkey, and her class of students who are nervous about an upcoming test. As the test approaches, Miss Malarkey reassures her students, using creative and unconventional methods to ease their anxieties. From humorous pep talks to imaginative study sessions, Miss Malarkey encourages her students to do their best while emphasizing the importance of learning beyond test scores. Through its engaging storyline and playful illustrations, "Testing Miss Malarkey" highlights the pressures students face during testing periods and encourages a positive mindset and a healthy approach to assessments. The book serves as a reminder that test scores do not define a person's worth and that learning and growth should be celebrated regardless of test outcomes. It promotes a supportive classroom environment and instills confidence in young readers, reminding them that their efforts and unique qualities are what truly matter.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Encourage students to use their summarizing and retelling strategies.
- Teach a lesson on making connections to enhance comprehension.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- Introduce students to proper nouns using examples from the story.
- Discuss mindfulness with students and practice a mindfulness activity with them.
- Teach different strategies for managing worry.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- The Anti-Test Anxiety Society by Julia Cook
- Big Test Jitters by Julie Danneberg
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
