PLT (K-6) Practice Questions
What is an example of differentiated instruction?
A teacher maximizes each student's growth by meeting his or her level of readiness Differentiating instruction ensures that each student's needs are individually addressed.
What best describes a teacher's use of holistic scoring?
A teacher reads a student paper using a rubric that addresses the scoring criteria. The teacher balances the strengths and weaknesses and assigns an overall score. Holistic scoring - used to give students a single, overall score for an assignment as a whole Scoring rubric - used in holistic scoring to lay out specific criteria
Which assessment can a teacher use to best determine whether a student is reading on grade level?
Achievement Test Definition - measures mastery skills, so a teacher can use the results of the test to determine whether the student is on grade level
Mr. Irwin encourages his elementary students to be active participants during his lessons. A few weeks into the new school year, Mr. Irwin notices Aiko, an Asian Pacific student, does not participate in discussions or ask any questions. What should Mr. Irwin consider first about Aiko?
Aiko may have grown up in a culture that encouraged him to be quiet and obedient without questioning his superiors. Teachers must be aware of student's cultural background, since it may greatly affect the way the student learns and participates in school settings.
What are examples of non-fair use provision of copyright laws?
Allowing students to read a scanned copy of a complete textbook that the teacher found online Providing students with multiple copies of a short story by a contemporary author Copying a CD of a recorded novel and distributing the copies to students
Increasing the font size of a student's reading assignment is best described as what?
An instructional accommodation An accommodation is an adjustment in teaching strategies, environment, or the assessment to content to allow students to learn a target skill at the same level as other students By increasing the font size of a reading assignment, the teacher makes it more accessible to the student without lowering the learning expectations.
What is an appropriate goal for administering a criterion-referenced test?
Assessing student mastery of specific concepts
What is an example that best represents analytical scoring on an essay?
Assigning a B for content and an A for mechanics - Analytical scoring requires that an essay be evaluated in parts rather than just as a whole
A third-grade teacher observes that a student has trouble remembering information and following directions that are presented orally. The student also has difficulty focusing in loud environments. What best describes the probable area of exceptionality this student demonstrates?
Auditory - The student's difficulty remembering information and trouble following directions reflect an auditory-processing problem
Which of the following findings about bullying is best supported by research? A. No gender difference exists between bullying by girls and bullying by boys B. Boys are more likely than girls to bully others and use physical aggression C. Girls are more likely than boys to bully others and use physical aggression D. Boys and girls are equally likely to bully others and use physical aggression.
Boys are more likely than girls to bully others and use physical aggression
To help with classroom management, a teacher teaches students to associate certain clapping sequences and light signals with desired behaviors. The teacher's classroom management technique is an application of which learning theory?
Classical conditioning The teacher introduces a conditioned stimulus (asking the class to quiet down while clapping three times or turning the lights on or off) and over time receives a conditioned response Theorist - Ivan Pavlov
A teacher observes that a student is able to do the following: - Solve problems with hands-on manipulatives in a logical fashion - Understand laws of conservation and is able to classify and seriate - Understand reversibility According to Piaget, which stage of cognitive development has the student reached?
Concrete operational - the third stage of cognitive development which includes being able to solve concrete problems in a logical fashion and to understand the laws of conservation
A teacher asks her class, "How did people measure length before they had rules?" Students work in groups to brainstorm ideas, such as using their hands and feet. The teacher's questions best exemplifies which theory?
Constructivism - Pose questions, help students find the answer while using previous knowledge will help them understand the new knowledge they will create
What instructional approach best allows a teacher to increase student interdependence?
Cooperative Learning Groups Help students improve interdependent relationships with their classmates
What teacher strategy is most effective for motivating elementary students to read recreationally?
Creating a class library that includes a variety of topics and a range of reading levels
A pretest and posttest that evaluate teaching effectiveness and students' learning progress in mathematics. What type of assessment is described above?
Criterion-referenced These tests are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of a course of study
A mathematics test provided by the district twice each year determines student mastery of state performance standards. What type of assessment is described above?
Criterion-referenced Often used to determine whether a student has obtained the expected knowledge and skills in a certain area and whether there are any gaps in learning.
At the end of a unit of study, students refer back to a KWL chart they started to fill out at the beginning of the unit. By reflecting on what they have learned, students can do what?
Determine actual progress to see if they reached their goals
A teacher notices that some students learn best by discussing subject matter content with peers, while others prefer a quiet place to read and practice on their own. In response, the teacher decides adjust lesson expectations and create space in the classroom to meet the needs of both sets of students. By taking this action, the teacher demonstrates an understanding of the importance of what?
Differentiated Instruction - provides students with different avenues to process and require subject-area content
Learning Goal - Students will label the states and their capitals on a map of the United States.
Domain - Cognitive because it includes recalling and matching data through cognitive skills
Learning Goal - Students will be able to solve classroom conflicts through discussions and role play.
Domains - Affective and Psychomotor
Learning Goal - Students will create an original piece of art using their favorite colors and share it with the class.
Domains - Affective and Psychomotor because it describes creating something
A teacher sets up an interactive Web site that allows students to post comments about the book that the class is currently reading and to read one another's posts. The teacher is most likely using technology in this way to what?
Encourage students' expression of ideas
A teacher planning instruction completes the following ordered steps - 1. Identify the lesson's objective 2. Develop assessment criteria 3. Choose instructional activities By following the steps, the teacher best demonstrates an understanding of what?
Ensuring that concepts students need to learn guide lessons
The primary purpose of an analytic scoring rubric is to
Evaluate specific criteria for an assignment
Ms. Smith's students have been studying single-digit subtraction. Before moving on to double-digit subtraction, Ms. Smith develops a quiz to assess how much her students understand about single-digit subtraction. If any of her students do poorly, she will spend another day reteaching and reviewing the concepts. What assessment does Ms. Smith's quiz best represent?
Formative Assessments Definition - designed to provide feedback during the instructional process to allow the teacher to adjust instruction to address students' needs
What is the primary benefit of using a KWL chart with students during instruction?
Helping students link prior knowledge to the current lesson
An elementary school teacher has developed a series of centers at which students can practice literacy skills and create learning logs. What strategy is the teachers most likely utilizing?
Independent study The teacher is using learning centers to provide students with opportunities to independently practice skills.
Mr. Larson is teaching his third graders how to "read between the lines." He will later explain that the skill they are practicing is an example of what?
Inferring Definition - helps students understand when information is implied, or not directly stated, and will improve their skill in drawing conclusions
What should a teacher do to best improve content knowledge in science?
Join the National Science Teachers Association Subject-specific professional organizations provide many opportunities to learn and network
After the first week of school, a beginning teacher has concerns about managing behavior in the classroom. What is the teacher's best first step to address the concern?
Keep a reflective journal about the types of problematic behaviors that occur
Makayla, a sixth grade student, received a grade-equivalent score of 7.2 on a recent standardized reading test. What is the most accurate way to communicate to her parents?
Makayla's overall reading ability is comparable to that of a student who is in the second month of seventh grade. A grade-equivalent score of 7.2 means that the performance is similar to the average score of students in the second month of 7th grade.
A science teacher wants to build a garden on school property for students to grow plants and study life cycles. The teacher creates an action plan that includes goals for involving the community. What is the best first step for the teacher's action plan?
Meet with administrators to talk about the purpose and scope of the project (administration should be informed before a teacher implements an action plan that includes community involvement)
Ms. Erman, a new teacher, has met once a week for 30 minutes with an assigned mentor to discuss curriculum and discipline management during the past months. Ms. Erman is frustrated that the mentor spends the whole time sharing personal issues and disregards her questions. What can best help Ms. Erman obtain the needed support to address and resolve the issue?
Meeting with the principal to discuss how the manage the problem - since the principal most likely assigned the teacher with the mentor
A small group of students in a 6th grade is socializing during instructional time. What teacher response is most likely to be effective in redirecting the students' attention to their task?
Moving closer to the students Increasing proximity is effective without disrupting the rest of the class
A multiple choice test that evaluated basic mathematics skills for the purpose of determining the students need for academic support. What type of assessment is described above?
Norm-referenced
What strategy is most likely to increase students' self-motivation during a unit?
Offering students a menu of activities to choose from
What is an example of a fair use provision of copyright laws?
Permitting several groups of students to watch a portion of a teacher-purchased movie
What can encourage parents to help their child continue his/her learning after school hours?
Posting assignments on a Web sit so parents can monitor their child's work
What is a characteristic of a summative assessment?
Provides scores that can be used to determine program effectiveness
A school establishes a mentoring program for incoming teachers. What is the primary goal of this program?
Providing one-to-one assistance for new teachers
What strategy best increases motivation and achievement in students?
Providing students with a menu of instructional choices
What is an example of an action for a teacher to take to develop self-motivation in a group of students?
Providing students with frequent and specific positive feedback
A teacher wants to improve the literacy skills and self-motivation of several 5th grade students who are struggling with reading and writing. What strategy will most likely accomplish this goal?
Providing the students with engaging materials and focused instruction on successfully completing reading and writing tasks.
Aria is learning to write her first and last name in cursive. After each correct attempt, Aria is rewarded with a sticker on her paper. After Aria masters the skill, her teacher stops giving her stickers for correct responses, which causes Aria to become upset. According to Thorndike, this reaction is due to the law of what?
Readiness One learns only when he is physically and mentally ready for it
According to social learning theory, students working within the zone of proximal development are most likely to learn because they are what?
Receiving support from a knowledgeable helper
What activity best reflects a family-centered program and a promotion of parent partnership with the school?
Relating classroom activities to the various needs and interests of children and families
What is an accurate description about validity and reliability?
Reliability measures the consistency of an assessment and validity measures the accuracy
A teacher administers a summative test following a unit of study. More than 80 percent of the students receive a grade of 50 percent or below. What is the next step for the teacher to take?
Reteaching content not mastered and reassessing students with a new tool
John, a second grader, complains to his parents that his teacher kept him in from recess for misbehaving in class. At a parent-teacher conference, the parents say that they think the consequence was too extreme. How should the teacher address the parent's concern?
Review with the parents the classroom rules and consequences that are aligned to the school's standards
What is a good strategy for a new teacher to use when determining instructional content?
Reviewing the curriculum standards provided by the state and school district (primary resource)
Prior to an activity, a teacher gives students written criteria that explain what they will need to know in order to receive a specific grade. Which assessment tool is the teacher most likely using?
Rubric Definition - written criteria that detail expectations of what students will need to know and be able to do in order to receive a given grade Rubrics help instructors develop clear learning objectives for students and guide students' efforts, if provided before the activity
A student who has been diagnosed with ADHD needs additional time to complete work and to take tests. Which piece of legislation is more appropriate for the school to use in implementing a plan to help the student?
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Constructivist teaching is based on the belief that the teacher's role is to encourage students to....
Seek answers by making connections to prior knowledge The basis of constructivist learning is that students build upon prior knowledge to construct new meaning and encourages students to take ownership the learning process.
With respect to phonemic awareness, which of the following could be the greatest area of challenge for an ELL? A. Metaphorical or figurative uses of words and phrases B. Multiple spellings of the same sound C. Sounds that are different in the student's native language D. Homonyms and homophones
Sounds that are different in the student's native language Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds in words. Therefore, it is a challenge for ELL students to distinguish sounds that differ from their native language.
A teacher exposes students to a topic several times with increasing complexity throughout the school year. The new learning is put in the context of prior learning. By instructing students in this manner, the teacher best demonstrates an understanding of what?
Spiral Curriculum - Bruner's cognitive theory Definition - exposes students to a topic or theme several times with increasing complexity and in context to the prior experience This approach is based on the idea that a student's learning ability changes over time and learning should not be isolation, but rather build on one another
A classroom practice that best implements Thorndike's theory
Students are assessed and encouraged to work at their own pace as they are introduced to new information one step at a time Theory centers on the law of effect to increase student success and understanding
A classroom practice that best implements Maslow's theory
Students are encouraged to eat if hungry, provided with a safe environment, and made to feel accepted in the classroom
A classroom practice that best implements Watson's theory
Students are given a reward for positive behavior and academic success and a consequence for negative behavior and lack of academic progress Theory centers around reward and punishment (positive and negative reinforcement)
A classroom practice that best implements Erikson's theory
Students are given assignments on the basis of their ability levels and provided with frequent opportunities for success Place elementary age students in the industry vs. inferiority stage - encourages industry, students need to feel successful and work at their level
What statement accurately describes the impact of metacognition on the learning of elementary students?
Students benefit from receiving explicit instruction on when to use cognitive strategies Students in 2nd-6th grade do not automatically acquire metacognitive knowledge, but they respond to explicit instruction
A second grade teacher is planning a unit of insects. What objective for the unity best addressing a psychomotor domain?
Students will construct a cocoon using thread and white paste.
A teacher implements message journals in the classroom. The teacher sends a journal home with each student on Monday, along with a note regarding accomplishments, concerns, needs, and upcoming school events. Parents return the journals on Thursday with any questions or concerns. What best describes the purpose of the journals?
Supporting communication between home and school (two-way communication)
Two teachers share responsibilities for leadership and instruction in a classroom. The teachers alternate leading instructional activities and supporting students. The classroom described is primary an example of what?
Team teaching Both teachers are equally engaged in the instructional activities
Which act requires that public schools provide increased accountability measured by the administration of standardized tests?
The No Child Left Behind Act
What describes the primary role of a mentor working with a new teacher?
The mentor observes the new teacher in the classroom and then meets with the teacher to discuss and reflect on the observations and plan strategies for improvement Mentors support new teachers by observing them in the classroom and debriefing and reflecting with them after class.
A score report from a standardized test ranks a seventh-grade student in the 70th percentile. The score indicates what?
The student scored higher than 70% of all students. (better than 70% of the students who took the same test) Percentiles rank an individual's score among the scores of a specific population.
A teacher evaluates the scores students in a class achieved on a recent standardized assessment. What describes the best instructional implication of high standard deviation in the scores?
The teacher must differentiate instruction to meet the wide range of ability levels in the class. Standard deviation is a measure of how spread out, or bunched together, the numbers are in some data set. Because the students' scores are so spread out, the teacher must differentiate instruction to meet their different ability levels and skills.
According to the second stage of Kohlberg's stages of moral development, what is true of students who exhibit characteristics of preconventional and moral development?
They believe in acting in their own best interests. The main characteristics of Kohlberg's preconventional moral development is that students believe in acting in their own best interests.
What is most effective for improving the reading fluency of emerging readers?
Timed repeated readings
What is a good example of how a teacher can apply the zone of proximal development theory?
Using pretest data to develop lessons that account for students' prior knowledge
A teacher who supports the theory of social learning will most likely plan instruction to include what activity?
Using think-alouds to model how to question text Social learning stresses the concepts of modeling and performing to teach others
An elementary teacher, Ms. Reed, reads aloud a story to a group of ELL. She pauses to indicate a change in events, points to illustrations in the book, and changes the volume and pitch of her voice to emphasize certain aspects of the story. What is a good strategy the teacher is most likely to implement?
Using verbal and nonverbal clues to help students understand the story
What is an example of an open-ended question?
What do you predict would happen to a lion born in the wild with a coat of much darker color? This is a divergent question that allows the student to consider a scenario and to use knowledge regarding camouflage, coat coloration, and the environment the animal lives in to create an original answer that is logical and correct.
Which of the following questions during a reading lesson best fosters metacognition in elementary students? A. Which reading strategies did you try using? B. How does the character solve the problem? C. Why does the main character get upset? D. What might happen next in the story?
Which reading strategies did you try using?
Which of the following questions best promotes the highest level of student thinking skills? A. Who are the main characters in the story? B. How are the two characters similar? C. Why do you think the character's actions were justified? D. Can you provide an example of characterization?
Why do you think the character's actions were justified? Using "why do you think..." requires students to evaluate the character's actions - evaluating is on the high end of Bloom's taxonomy.
A teacher introduces multiplying two-digit numbers by breaking down each step during whole-class instruction. Three students continue to struggle after four days of instruction and practice. The teacher provides three additional days of small-group instruction to the students, who are then able to be successful independently. Which of the following learning theories does this best represent?
Zone of Proximal Development Theorist - Lev Vygotsky Definition - the student receive additional coaching and scaffolding from the teacher to be successful in mastering a task
The use of heterogeneous groups in order to increase learning in the classroom is best supported by what?
Zone of Proximal Development Theorist - Vygotsky
