Yesterday, little Sofia walked into my classroom dragging her backpack behind her like it weighed fifty pounds. "Mrs. Santos," she said with the dramatic flair only a fourth grader can muster, "I'm too tired to think anymore."

Girl, same.

If you're reading this during that weird liminal space between finishing FAST testing and the end of the school year, you know exactly what I'm talking about. We've all been running on fumes, our students are mentally drained, and honestly? The classroom feels like a deflated balloon.

After 22 years of this dance, I've learned that the post-testing period is just as crucial as test prep itself. We can't just flip a switch and pretend the last few weeks didn't happen. Our kids need to decompress, and frankly, so do we.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Elephant in the Room

The first thing I do is have an honest conversation with my students about how they're feeling. I don't pretend testing didn't happen or immediately jump back into regular lessons like nothing changed.

"How are we feeling after all that?" I ask. And then I actually listen.

This year, Marcus told me his brain felt "like scrambled eggs." Aisha said she kept having dreams about bubble sheets. These kids have been carrying stress in their little bodies for weeks, and they need to know it's okay to feel wiped out.

I share my own feelings too. "You know what? I'm tired too. Testing season is hard on all of us, and that's completely normal."

Step 2: Bring Back the Joy (Slowly)

I learned this lesson the hard way my third year teaching. I was so eager to get back to "real" learning that I jumped straight into a complex fractions unit the day after testing ended. It was a disaster. The kids weren't ready, I wasn't ready, and we all ended up more frustrated than before.

Now, I ease back in with activities that feel good but still have learning value. We might do a science experiment that's been sitting on my wish list, or tackle a fun math puzzle that doesn't feel like work.

Last week, we made paper airplanes and measured flight distances. Was it rigorous Common Core aligned instruction? Probably not. Did my kids rediscover their curiosity and start asking questions again? Absolutely.

Step 3: Use Your Data Wisely (But Not Immediately)

Here's something that might surprise you: I don't rush to analyze test scores the second they come in. I know, I know. We're supposed to be data-driven teachers, but hear me out.

When those FAST scores finally land in our laps, we're usually still emotionally recovering from testing season ourselves. Making big instructional decisions when we're running on empty isn't smart.

I give myself at least a week to decompress before diving into data analysis. When I do start looking at scores, I use tools that make the process manageable. My colleague Yolanda showed me FastIXL last month, and it's been helpful for quickly connecting FAST results to specific skills we need to work on without spending hours cross-referencing everything myself.

But here's the key: data should inform our next steps, not consume our present moment.

Step 4: Rebuild Classroom Community

Testing season does weird things to classroom dynamics. We've been so focused on individual performance and quiet concentration that we sometimes forget how to be a learning community again.

I intentionally plan activities that get kids talking to each other again. Partner work, small group discussions, collaborative projects. Anything that reminds them they're not just test-takers, they're learners who can support each other.

One of my favorite post-testing traditions is our "Wisdom Wall." Each student writes one piece of advice for next year's fourth graders about testing, school, or life in general. Then we make it into a display for the hallway.

This year's gems include "Eat a good breakfast even if you're nervous" and "Remember that tests don't know how funny you are."

Ay, these kids.

Step 5: Take Care of Yourself Too

Here's what nobody tells you about post-testing recovery: teachers need it just as much as students do.

We've been operating in crisis mode for weeks. We've smiled encouragingly while internally panicking about data chats with administration. We've lost sleep worrying about that one kid who we know struggles with test anxiety.

Give yourself permission to ease back in too. Maybe this isn't the week to debut that elaborate project you've been planning. Maybe it's okay to order pizza for dinner instead of cooking because you're just too tired.

Carlos always tells me, "Mija, you can't pour from an empty cup." He's right, even if he doesn't understand why I bring home so many papers to grade.

The Long Game

Remember, we're not just recovering from testing season. We're setting the tone for how we finish this school year and start the next one.

When we acknowledge that testing is hard, when we prioritize joy and community, when we use data thoughtfully instead of reactively, we're teaching our students something important: learning is about more than performance. It's about growth, curiosity, and resilience.

Moving Forward

So if you're feeling exhausted right now, if your classroom energy feels flat, if you're wondering how to get back to the good stuff, know that you're not alone. We've all been there, and we'll get through this together.

Take it slow. Be gentle with your students and yourself. Trust that the love of learning will return, because it always does.

And remember, there are still beautiful moments ahead this school year. Just yesterday, Sofia, the same little girl who was too tired to think, got so excited about our plant growth experiment that she asked if she could stay in during recess to take more measurements.

That spark is still there, friends. Sometimes it just needs a little time to reignite.

What's your post-testing recovery plan? I'd love to hear what works in your classroom.