PECT TEST
A preschool teacher with a diverse group of learners makes a point of including visuals, toys, and other materials that reflect the background of each student in the class. In addition, the teacher makes a special effort to read books that reflect each student's culture and language. This teacher understands that: A,. A child's listening comprehension is increased when content is familiar and reflects cultural experience B. Children will react more positively to each other when they feel represented in the literature of the class C. A child's behavior often improves when immersed in a variety of cultural values and viewpoints D. Children feel more comfortable talking to the teacher when there is a shared subject or vocabulary
A. A child's listening comprehension is increased when content is familiar and reflects cultural experience Research shows that more learning takes place when children are engaged in communication that is meaningful to them because more of the content and structure of the communication enters long-term memory. Communication is meaningful when it links with the children's prior knowledge or experiences. When the teacher takes the time to link new learning or vocabulary to a child's prior knowledge, the child has a foundation to generalize and retain the new material.
Which of the following is considered a developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) for prekindergarten children? A. Building upon what the child already knows B. Using a prepackaged curriculum C. Having rules and regulations posted in the classroom D. Utilizing pretext scores to drive instruction
A. Building upon what the child already knows. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), building upon what the child already knows, or scaffolding, is a developmentally appropriate practice. Research indicates that in addition to increasing the child's ability to reach new levels in learning, this method also strengthens the child's retention of new information. A prepackaged curriculum does not allow for differentiation and does not take into account special needs of the students. Rules and regulations being posted in the classroom and utilizing pretest scores will have little effect on student learning and retention of new learning.
Marcus is a four-year-old boy who is new to Ms. Klein's preschool class. Marcus often sits and observes other children playing with the blocks and other toys, but does not usually engage in the activities himself. Ms. Klein wants to help Marcus develop motivation to play with the toys in the classroom. Which of the following strategies would be most effective for Ms. Klein to try first? A. Asking Marcus which are his favorite blocks and encouraging him to focus on building with those B. Giving Marcus some blocks to take home with him and requesting that he show his parents how he plays with the blocks at school C. Demonstrating to Marcus a few different ways the blocks can be used to create different structures and showing him how to try some himself D. Introducing a reward chart and giving Marcus a sticker on his chart each time he plays with the blocks
C. Demonstrating to Marcus a few different ways the blocks can be used to create different structures and showing him how to try some himself Children who may have a lower level of motivation, may be fearful of failure, or may be uncomfortable in social situations, often need more attention from adults and have difficulty getting started with materials independently. By modeling for Marcus how to play with the blocks and encouraging him to do so himself, Ms. Klein is providing Marcus with incidental learning experiences to build prior knowledge, language, and motivation.
A second-grade class includes two students who have language delays and who tend to speak to peers and adults only when necessary. Which of the following teacher strategies would be most effective for increasing the students' use of oral language in the classroom? A. Posting a chart for each of the two students that tallies the number of times each of them communicates with others during the day B. Scheduling a daily morning meeting that includes time for students to voluntarily share personal experiences with one another C. Setting up small-group activities on a regular basis that require students to talk to one another in order to complete assignment D. Meeting with the two students indicated the end of the day to ask them questions related to the day's lessons and activities
C. Setting up small-group activities on a regular basis that require students to talk to one another in order to complete assignment In general, students are most likely to engage in spontaneous oral language in situations in which they feel relaxed and unselfconscious. Cooperative learning activities often provide such situations. When working together with just a few other students on assignments that appeal to them, children who tend to be reluctant to speak in larger settings will often join in to express interest, share ideas, and help with decision making and problem solving.
A preschool student has been receiving special education services and will continue to receive services in kindergarten. An IEP meeting is being planned for the student's transition to kindergarten. Which of the following roles is most appropriate for the general education kindergarten teacher to play in this IEP meeting? A.developing appropriate academic interventions and strategies to meet curricular goals B.writing reports documenting the decisions of the team C.determining which special education services the student is eligible to receive D.facilitating the discussion of the participants
Correct Response: A. This question requires the candidate to demonstrate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the general educator as a collaborative member of the IEP team and as part of the team for transition planning. In the situation described, the general education kindergarten teacher will have responsibility for providing instruction, accommodations, and supports for the student in the kindergarten classroom. The teacher also brings to the IEP meeting expertise regarding the general education curriculum, the type and pace of instruction that is provided, and the classroom environment the student will be entering. The role that most appropriately acknowledges the general education kindergarten teacher's specific areas of expertise and responsibilities with regard to the student is developing interventions and strategies that can be used with the student.
Sarah is a five-year-old child who lives with her mother and one younger brother. Sarah's mother is unemployed and without extended family nearby. The family recently moved to a homeless shelter after losing their apartment. There is no predictable schedule for their days or nights. As a result of this situation, Sarah would most likely: A. Experience adverse effects on her concentration and memory B. Have a greater chance of developing certain disorders such as asthma C. Experience an increase in her resilience and determination to succeed D. Have a greater understanding of the range of human emotions
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) Extensive research indicates that living in poverty has a wide range of negative effects on the physical well-being and mental health of children. Poverty impacts children in various contexts at home, in school, and in their neighborhoods and communities. Poverty has a particularly adverse effect on the academic outcomes of children, especially during early childhood. Chronic stress associated with living in poverty has been shown to adversely affect children's concentration and memory, which may impact their ability to learn
Incorrect An prekindergarten teacher is preparing a lesson for her class about where milk comes from. She is organizing a field trip to a local dairy farm with a follow-up trip to the school cafeteria to see a delivery of milk. During this time she will also transform the classroom centers with activities and supplies that reflect what the children saw on the field trips. Which of the following learning theories is this teacher modeling? A. constructivist learning theory B. Behaviorist learning theory C. Social cognitive learning theory D. Cognitive learning theory
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0001) The constructivist learning theory states that children generate knowledge and form meaning based on their experiences and interaction with their environment. In the above scenario, the children are provided real-life experiences and the teacher facilitates learning through hands-on activities.
Which of the following skills is typically the last to emerge for students who are English language learners? A. Understanding academic language B. Questioning to check for understanding C. Self-correcting spoken errors D. Following verbal instructions
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0002) Academic language represents the language demands of school, including language used in textbooks and on tests, and discipline-specific language, and it can take students who are English language learners years to gain proficiency in this area. Academic-language skills are more abstract and less contextualized than the skills students use in interpersonal communication. Students who are English language learners may be able to say the words in a content area textbook and memorize the definitions of content area vocabulary but still have difficulty understanding the vocabulary and organization of academic language.
A prekindergarten teacher would like to teach a unit on seasons to her four-year-old students. She plans to access the children's prior knowledge of the weather to activate their interest in this topic. Which of the following strategies would be the most effective for this purpose? A.asking the children questions during circle time and discussing the topic as a group B.giving the children graphic organizers to complete in order to assess what they know C.placing the children into groups of cooperative learners and having them share ideas with one another D.sending a note home to families and asking them to discuss the seasons at home
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) According to learning theorist Jean Piaget, accessing prior knowledge is how children make sense of the world. They attempt to take new information and fit it into existing knowledge in order to create a mental map that fits into a specific category. During circle time, the teacher can have an open dialogue about the upcoming topic and listen to children's answers and ideas to gain insight into how to further advance their knowledge.
Saffolding is likely to be most effective in promoting student learning when: A.the teacher uses scaffolding techniques that are tailored to each student's specific needs. B.students are able to play a role in determining which scaffolding techniques will be used. C.the teacher explains to students how particular scaffolding techniques will be used before applying them. D.students have had ample prior experience with the scaffolding techniques that will be used.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) Scaffolding refers to support that is provided to students to promote their learning and problem solving. Such support can be given in many forms, such as providing clues, reminders, examples, encouragement, breaking a problem into a series of steps, or any other method that promotes a student's understanding and independence in learning. Because every student is unique, scaffolding is most effective when the teacher chooses scaffolding techniques that take into consideration a student's particular characteristics and needs and that reflect the specific challenges that the student is currently facing as a learner.
A new elementary teacher is planning a lesson to introduce a science concept to a class that includes students who are English language learners with varying levels of English language proficiency. The teacher can best help ensure that the lesson will be responsive to the needs of the students who are English language learners by including which of the following steps in the planning process? A.identifying ways for students to use various hands-on materials and activities to reinforce and apply the targeted concept B.developing several written practice exercises that reinforce the targeted concept for the students who are English language learners to complete for homework C.reviewing content covered in science texts across grade levels that is relevant to the targeted concept D.asking the students who are English language learners to identify strategies they believe will be most effective in helping them learn the targeted concept
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0003) To promote successful acquisition of new concepts by students who are English language learners, teachers need to use instructional practices that help make the content more accessible and comprehensible for the students. One practice is to emphasize active methods of learning that reinforce and clarify new concepts by making the concepts more concrete and facilitating students' ability to connect to the concepts and construct their own meaning. Therefore, in the situation described, the teacher's best strategy would be to plan ways for students to use hands-on materials and activities to reinforce and apply the targeted concept.
Teachers who have a goal of providing equitable instruction to diverse groups of students should begin by considering which of the following questions? A.Do I allow differences in culture, language, and behavior to shape my perceptions about students' motivation and ability to learn? B.How frequently do I interact with individual students to make sure that I am meeting their learning needs? C.Am I consistent in providing an equal amount of time to each student, regardless of culture, language, and behavior? D.Have I clearly communicated my belief that my students are capable of mastering the targeted concepts and skills?
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0004) Preconceived ideas about the motivation and ability of students to learn that are based on students' languages, cultures, and behaviors present a significant barrier to providing equitable instruction. For example, these preconceived ideas may lead a teacher to have lower expectations for some groups of students. To provide equitable instruction to diverse groups of students, a teacher must view students as individuals who have unique assets and needs and provide instruction that is responsive to those assets and needs. Therefore, the most important first step for a teacher of diverse groups of students is to reflect on potential personal biases or misconceptions about students.
At the beginning of the school year, a kindergarten teacher requests that parents/guardians write a brief summary of their children's summer, including recently learned skills, day or extended trips, special events, and basic daily activities. The teacher could make the most effective use of this information by: A.linking the children's summer experiences and activities to instructional activities to support building prior knowledge. B.providing an opportunity to share experiences with parents/guardians as a means of establishing a personal connection. C.writing a summary of each child's summer activities to include in the first weekly class newsletter. D.using the parents'/guardians' accounts of the summer events to teach students how to summarize events.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0004) Young children can learn to build upon prior knowledge to connect new learning to prior activities and behaviors, thereby strengthening their knowledge. Research supports the theory that when children can link new ideas and concepts to existing, concrete experiences and concepts, a higher level of learning (and retention of learning) occurs. Enriching vocabulary for young children is an example of one especially useful skill for the kindergarten teacher to link to students' summer activities.
Which of the following recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) applies to early childhood experiences with technology? A.Technology tools can be effective for dual language learners by providing access to a family's home language and culture while supporting English language learning. B.Technology tools can replace the need for direct instruction for English language learning. C.Technology tools can provide access to information for all families, which facilitates immersion in everyday learning. D.Technology tools are becoming the most developmentally appropriate practice for teaching basic skills in the preschool classroom.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), technology should be available to all children and can greatly benefit those whose home language is not English, by having activities in the home language and in English. When used intentionally and appropriately, technology can be an effective learning tool for young children. Intentional use requires knowledge of the child and developmentally appropriate activities by early childhood professionals.
A student with multiple disabilities will be enrolling in an elementary school. In regard to educating this student, school staff should be aware of their legal responsibility to: A.deliver instruction and services to the student in the least restrictive environment appropriate for meeting his or her needs. B.incorporate into the student's school day ongoing opportunities to interact with similarly disabled peers or adults. C.revise the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) each grading period in response to his or her classroom performance. D.provide the student with instruction that enables him or her to perform at grade level in the basic skill areas of reading and mathematics.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) is a federal law that governs how states must address the educational needs of children with disabilities. Its purpose is to ensure that children with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living. One of the primary principles governing the education of students with disabilities is that of least restrictive environment. This means that any student who has a disability should have an opportunity to receive instruction with nondisabled peers to the greatest extent possible and appropriate given the student's particular needs.
A fourth-grade classroom is equipped with an audience response system in which students respond to questions by clicking on a personal remote control. Students' responses are displayed immediately on a presentation computer. This type of response system can be used most effectively for which of the following purposes? A.monitoring students' understanding of key concepts B.diagnosing specific student learning needs C.placing students in instructional groups D.accommodating individual student learning preferences
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) The interactive nature of audience response systems that utilize personal remote controls helps ensure that all students are engaged in instruction. An increased level of engagement along with immediate feedback from students' responses enables the teacher to assess more quickly all students' grasp of concepts and adjust instruction accordingly—a primary reason for monitoring student understanding.
A fourth-grade teacher makes a point of welcoming individual students as they arrive each day and takes time to talk with students about their interests and activities on a regular basis. The most important benefit of this practice is that it allows the teacher to: A.establish a pattern of positive interaction with students. B.implement consistent classroom procedures. C.integrate informal social interaction into the daily routine. D.model effective communication skills for students.
Correct Response: A. (Objective 0005) The practice of making personal contact with students each day and discussing what is important to them conveys to students that they are valued as individuals. By implementing this practice, the teacher is establishing a sense of trust with the students to help ensure that future interactions related to students' learning or behavior are framed in a positive way.
. A recently hired prekindergarten teacher who is new to the area can best prepare to be an effective advocate for students by taking which of the following actions? A.developing a strong, positive relationship with an assigned mentor B.learning about the characteristics and needs of families within the community C.researching advocacy activities undertaken in similar districts in recent years D.engaging in reflection and self-assessment to identify professional strengths and challenges
Correct Response: B. This question requires the candidate to apply knowledge of strategies for serving as an effective, informed advocate for individual students and families. An important first step for a teacher who is new to an area is to become familiar with the local community and its population. By taking the initiative to learn about the particular characteristics of local families (e.g., culture, socioeconomic situation, traditions), the teacher can be prepared to advocate for students in ways that are relevant and respectful to students and their families.
A prekindergarten teacher wants to create a classroom environment that stimulates and reinforces children's motivation to learn. Which of the following strategies would best support the achievement of this goal? A. Offering stickers or other favored items as rewards for independent creative work B. Providing a variety of appealing, age-appropriate materials and time to explore them C. Creating a wall chart on which each child's accomplishments and successes are listed D. Responding to all children's products and efforts with lavish praise and approbation
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0001) Young children are natural explorers. They love to examine new materials and can spend hours exploring their characteristics and how they behave. By regularly providing children with attractive, developmentally appropriate materials and giving them the time to explore them, the teacher is taking advantage of the children's innate impulse to investigate deeply and learn as much as they can about the world around them.
A prekindergarten student with dyspraxia would likely have the most difficulty with which of the following activities? A.sitting in a circle listening to a book being read B.putting a puzzle together or working with small objects C.retelling a story in front of the class D.drinking from a cup without spilling
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0003) Dyspraxia is a developmental disorder affecting fine- and/or gross-motor coordination. Children diagnosed with dyspraxia often have additional problems related to planning, organizing, and carrying out movements in the right order in everyday situations. A prekindergarten student with dyspraxia would likely find putting a puzzle together quite difficult given the fine-motor skills, motor planning, and concentration needed to complete the task.
A class includes a student with physical and cognitive disabilities that affect various aspects of the student's functioning. In planning a small-group activity for the class, the teacher should consider which of the following questions first in regard to the student? A.Does the student generally exhibit a preference for individual activities over group activities? B.What steps can I take to facilitate the student's fullest possible participation in the activity? C. Which classmates would likely be most willing to include the student in their group during the activity? D.Are there alternative activities I can arrange for the student that would address the same instructional goal?
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0003) The 1975 Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) and its 1997 amendments mandated that children with disabilities be educated with children who do not have disabilities to the greatest extent possible. In working with students who have special needs, general education teachers have a responsibility to try to maximize the students' participation in class activities and their engagement with their peers. This often involves using various strategies to adapt activities or modify student roles in activities. Therefore, in the instructional planning situation described, the teacher's first consideration in regard to the student with disabilities should be to determine what steps can be taken to facilitate the student's fullest possible participation in the small-group activity.
Josiah is a five-year-old kindergarten student. Transitions between activities are difficult for him. He often reacts to them angrily, yelling or crying and refusing to stop what he is doing. Josiah's kindergarten teacher has been helping him develop effective transitioning skills, and his parents have been reinforcing these skills at home. Which of the following additional strategies would likely be most effective for the teacher to use to help Josiah with this issue? A.permitting Josiah to choose between activities when he transitions cooperatively B.establishing a cue to alert Josiah a few minutes before transition times C.reminding Josiah each morning that he should expect transitions throughout the day D.imposing negative consequences whenever Josiah resists making transitions
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0003) Transitions can be difficult for young children. By establishing a special cue (verbal, nonverbal, auditory, or visual) for Josiah, he can begin to prepare himself for the end of one activity and the beginning of another. Cues can be used in coordination with positive reinforcement when the child appropriately participates in the transition and can be modified depending on the location or activity.
Research demonstrates that parents/guardians can provide optimal stimulation for cognitive growth in their infants by: A.exposing them early to words, numbers, shapes, and colors B.developing a strong emotional relationship C.introducing them to a variety of adults and children of varying ages D.providing visually appealing objects in the baby's crib
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0004) A strong emotional relationship is the best way for a parent/guardian to nourish a child's growing brain. A parent/guardian is a child's first teacher, and it is in the course of everyday interactions with them that children get what they need for healthy development. According to developmental research, examples of children raised in extremes of environmental care (e.g., children raised in orphanages) provide clear evidence of the profound impact of a lack of stimulation on development. A strong emotional attachment allows babies to thrive in all areas of development.
A team of prekindergarten teachers has secured funding from a federal grant to acquire a curriculum that integrates technology to improve student access to instruction. The team decides to form an advisory committee, which will include an administrator as well as several general education teachers, special education teachers, and parents/guardians. The team plans to meet regularly to provide feedback on the curriculum as well as on its implementation. The greatest benefit of this practice is: A.encouraging parents/guardians to share accountability in student achievement of curriculum objectives. B.promoting a collaborative approach to identify and problem-solve potential areas of curriculum difficulties. C.improving parents'/guardians' ability to generalize best practices introduced by the curriculum at home. D.offering vertical planning time to align curriculum objectives with state learning standards.
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0005) An advisory committee of appropriate stakeholders is one example of a collaborative approach generally supported by research. When each group of stakeholders has a representative at the table to identify needs, brainstorm ideas, and develop operational plans and monitor their implementation, successful outcomes are more likely to occur. Management styles may differ; however, generally speaking, a collaborative and inclusive setting will prove to be successful in meeting the goals of a project.
Giving students in the elementary grades regular opportunities to participate in rule-based games is likely to be most effective in promoting students' development in which of the following areas? A.self-assessment skills B.social problem-solving skills C.metacognitive skills D.abstract reasoning skills
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0005) Rule-based games often involve teams of students in a competitive situation. Participation in rule-based games provides a stage for students to practice a wide range of social problem-solving skills, such as perspective taking, interpersonal communication, cooperation, negotiation, and conflict resolution, to achieve a goal.
Which of the following social or emotional milestones typically happens last in young children? A.playing peek-a-boo with others B.exhibiting anxiety when separated from primary caregiver C.showing pleasure in response to social stimulation D. paying attention to one's own name
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0005) Social and emotional development involves many skills, including those that increase self-awareness and self-regulation. Babies typically show pleasure in response to social stimulation between the ages of birth and three months. Babies typically learn to play peek-a-boo and pay attention to their own name between the ages of three and six months. Of the milestones listed, exhibiting anxiety when separated from a primary caregiver typically happens last, between the ages of nine and twelve months.
Which of the following social or emotional milestones typically happens last in young children? A.playing peek-a-boo with others B.exhibiting anxiety when separated from primary caregiver C.showing pleasure in response to social stimulation D.paying attention to one's own name
Correct Response: B. (Objective 0005) Social and emotional development involves many skills, including those that increase self-awareness and self-regulation. Babies typically show pleasure in response to social stimulation between the ages of birth and three months. Babies typically learn to play peek-a-boo and pay attention to their own name between the ages of three and six months. Of the milestones listed, exhibiting anxiety when separated from a primary caregiver typically happens last, between the ages of nine and twelve months.
A kindergarten student, who is typically easygoing and friendly, has begun acting out in class and being verbally aggressive toward peers. The teacher is consulting with the school counselor about these recent changes in the student's behavior. This consultation is likely to be most productive if the teacher begins by providing the counselor with which of the following pieces of information? A.notes from the parents describing the student's behavior at home B.results from the student's most recent standardized assessments C.a description of the student's behavior and strategies the teacher has implemented D.the complete educational history and attendance records for the student
Correct Response: C. This question requires the candidate to apply knowledge of strategies for consulting and collaborating with colleagues and other professionals. When consulting with a colleague, it is important for a teacher to provide specific information that is directly relevant to the issue to be discussed. In the situation described, the kindergarten teacher has noted changes in a student's behavior and has decided to consult with the school counselor. There are several types of information that ultimately may need to be considered with regard to this student. Initially, however, it will be most helpful if the teacher prepares a clear description of the student's behavior, how it has changed, and the steps the teacher has taken to address the behavior. This will allow the counselor to focus quickly on particular points or make suggestions for additional strategies not already tried by the teacher.
1. A student in a kindergarten class is playing at the water table, placing different toys in the water. The student notices that one toy floats and another sinks to the bottom and asks the teacher why some toys float. Which of the following responses from the teacher would be most strongly consistent with a constructivist approach to learning? A."Let's go read a book about water and see what it says about floating." B."Why don't we ask some of the other students and see if they know the answer?" C."Let's try to make some other things float and see if we can figure it out together." D."Why don't I tell you the answer when we have our science time later?"
Correct Response: C. This question requires the candidate to demonstrate knowledge of major theories of child development and learning. Constructivist approaches to learning view the learner as an active participant in building understanding and knowledge. Hands-on exploration with concrete materials provides particularly effective opportunities for young children to construct knowledge. By extending the realistic and relevant learning situation in which the student is already actively engaged, the teacher can interact with the student in a meaningful way to help scaffold understanding and develop the student's awareness that knowledge is constructed.
In which of the following ways would it be most helpful for parents/guardians to participate in the assessment process of a four-year-old child? A. Selecting the appropriate venue in which to perform the assessment as well as the materials that would work best with their child B. Preteaching the skills needed for the assessment to shorten the time involved in the process for both the team and the child C. Sharing insights into the child's developmental background as well as any cultural differences that could inform the assessment process D. Developing a time line for the assessment process that fits well with the whole family's home,school, and work schedules
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Families provide important information in the assessment process, and it is vital to have their input about their child's developmental history. It is also essential to learn of any linguistic or cultural differences that could affect the assessment process. Assessments of the various skill areas, including intelligence, language, and perception, as well as behavioral, emotional, and social development, are conducted by a multidisciplinary team as required by federal law. Although parents/guardians are important participants, generating a time line for the assessment process and choosing a venue would be a joint decision with the multidisciplinary team. Parents/guardians would not be expected or encouraged to practice skills used in the assessment process.
A fourth-grade teacher is establishing student learning goals for an upcoming science unit. Data from which of the following sources would be most helpful to the teacher in this process? A. A student interest survey about unit content B. A comprehension quiz on a science-related informational passage C. An ungraded pre-assessment of unit content D. A student self-assessment of science skills and abilities
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) Pre-assessments are generally linked directly to the content of an upcoming instructional unit. Because pre-assessments are administered prior to instruction, they are generally not graded. Pre-assessment results provide a picture of the skills students have mastered and illuminate gaps in their learning related to unit content. Learning goals can then be designed to address identified gaps in students' knowledge and skills.
Which of the following instructional approaches is recommended for students who need Tier 2 assistance according to assessment results determined by Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII) procedures? A.focusing on strategies for breaking difficult problems into manageable parts B.Focusing on one-on-one instruction and considering special education services C. Providing systematic and explicit instruction with guided practice and corrective feedback D. Providing students with multiple opportunities to solve open-ended and nonstandard problems
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0002) The Institute of Education Sciences (2009) identifies strong evidence that instruction in Tiers 2 and 3 should be explicit and systematic. In particular, instruction should include numerous clear models of easy and difficult problems, with accompanying teacher think-alouds. It is important for the early education teacher to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for effectively using progress monitoring to inform instruction and to be able to apply it to Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII).
Four-year-old Jonas has recently joined Ms. Townsend's prekindergarten class. Jonas and his family moved from another country and he speaks very little English. Ms. Townsend's class has been learning to count to 10. Which of the following activities would be the most effective for Ms. Townsend to use to help Jonas learn this skill? A.reading books about counting during circle time and pausing to count items in the story B.adding authentic props (e.g., telephone) to the dramatic play area to familiarize children with numerals C.singing counting songs and encouraging Jonas to repeat the counting aloud D.providing opportunities for Jonas to demonstrate one-to-one correspondence, such as during snack time
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) Encouraging a student who is an English language learner to count aloud, along with repetition, are positive strategies for language and concept development. Hearing numbers and counting through songs helps a child learn vocabulary in a fun way and also serves as a model for correct pronunciation, syntax, and grammar.
Several children who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) will attend a kindergarten class in the upcoming year. To help implement the IEPs, several specialists will provide services in the classroom environment. The most effective first step for the kindergarten teacher to take in building a collaborative relationship with the specialists would be to: A.suggest using a single method of problem solving. B.propose that intervention ideas be reached by consensus. C.arrange a regular time for sharing information. D.assume primary responsibility for decision making.
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0003) In the situation described, in which a number of children and specialists are involved, it will take close collaboration and coordination of services to ensure that each child's individual needs are met appropriately. The key to optimal provision of services will therefore be clear, frequent, ongoing communication. The best first step toward achieving such communication would be to identify a time when everyone can meet and schedule a regular information-sharing session for that time.
An elementary teacher intends to involve students in a project that will require them to use information obtained from their own family members to write a family history. The goals of the project include helping students understand societal change over time and improving students' writing skills. While planning the project, the teacher realizes that some students in the class will have difficulty with the project because they do not live with their family or would have difficulty obtaining the required information for other reasons. The teacher can best show responsiveness to this type of student diversity by taking which of the following actions? A.making the project an optional, extra-credit activity for any students in the class who are interested in participating B.encouraging students who have no available family members to work with classmates who do so that all students can complete the project C.designing a different project for the class that achieves the same learning objectives while giving all students an equal opportunity to participate D.giving students who are unable to complete a family-based project the option of using library research for their projects instead
Correct Response: C. (Objective 0004) The teacher has created a learning activity that is not possible for some students to complete as originally intended because of their particular family circumstances and that may therefore cause these students to feel sad or embarrassed. Since many alternative activities could be used to promote students' achievement of the targeted learning objectives, the teacher should respond by choosing another project for the class that achieves the same instructional goals while allowing all students an equal opportunity to participate and ensuring that no students will feel hurt or left out.
The most important reason for using varied assessment methods and formats with young children is that such an approach: A.allows teachers to make accurate predictions about children's future academic performance. B.helps motivate children to become actively engaged in learning. C.promotes teachers' objectivity and fairness in evaluating children's performance. D.provides children with multiple avenues to demonstrate their learning.
Correct Response: D. This question requires the candidate to recognize the importance of using multiple indicators to identify areas of individual need and to support the development of all students. Young children of the same age can vary significantly in their levels of development in the various domains. They also differ in their cognitive styles and learning preferences. For example, some children may have more advanced language skills and be able to explain or write about what they know, while other children may be able to demonstrate their understanding by drawing pictures. Some children may prefer to work on some tasks independently and on other kinds of tasks with a group. Using a variety of assessment methods and formats that accommodate these differences gives all children opportunities to demonstrate what they have learned and understand.
At the end of the school year, a kindergarten teacher assesses each of her students. She asks each student questions and has them do a series of academic tasks. The kindergarten teacher will use the results of the assessment to gain an understanding of each student's strengths and weaknesses and pass this information on to next year's teacher and the student's parents/guardians. This type of testing is limiting in its scope because: A. skills tested by a familiar teacher often get unreliable results. B.the techniques used for oral-response tests are not always well developed. C.it is time consuming for the teacher and hard for a five-year-old to complete. D.skills are tested in isolation and may not be indicators of final performance.
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) According to current research, children actively construct knowledge and skills which, when tested in isolation, are not always reliable indicators of ability. For a young child, a single assessment of any kind provides only a partial picture of his or her performance. A more developmentally appropriate means of identifying strengths and weaknesses would be a portfolio of the student's work throughout the year to show a learning progression with areas of mastery and need.
Ms. Lyons informally and systematically observes each child in her prekindergarten class. She focuses her attention on one student and notes patterns or changes. She uses the information gathered to help with problem behaviors and to understand the student. A benefit to this type of observation is: A. The teacher can simply look at a child and make a few notes B. The children already have a relationship with the teacher doing the assessment C. The teacher does not need training to do the assessment D. The children are minimally aware that their behavior is being observed
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) Systematic observation is a way for teachers to observe a child in his or her normal classroom setting doing regular activities. The child being observed does not have to know that his or her behavior is being observed. Observing a child in this way allows a teacher to see a pattern in behavior or progress toward a goal in an unobtrusive way.
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct, which of the following statements best reflects a primary ethical responsibility of PreK-4 teachers in regard to student assessment? A. Students should only be assessed in comparison to peers with a similar academic profile B. Standardized achievement measures, which include normative assessment, should focus most on showing students' performing in relation to their previous performance C. Students' grade-level curriculum should be modified based only on most current, projective achievement results. D. Appropriate assessment systems, which include multiple sources of information, should provide information about students' learning and development
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0002) The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines were originally developed in 1992 and are updated on a regular basis. Best practices for assessments for young children were added to the Code of Ethical Conduct in the 2005 revision, based on input from early childhood teachers and service providers. The consensus among early childhood educators is the use of assessment methods that are developmentally appropriate, free of language or cultural bias, supportive of a child's daily activities, and inclusive of families.
A third-grade student has been having difficulty keeping up with assignments, finishing and turning in homework, and studying for tests. The third-grade teacher has met with the student's parents, who agree that their child would benefit from extra help in several areas. Together, the teacher and the parents identify supports for the student that will be implemented at home and at school. Which of the following additional steps should the teacher take to facilitate the parents' involvement in addressing their child's challenges? A.asking the parents to take responsibility for explaining to their child the supports that will be implemented B.recommending that the parents investigate private tutoring for their child should the supports prove unsuccessful C.suggesting that the parents visit the classroom to observe their child during various instructional periods D.establishing a dialogue journal to communicate with the parents about their child's progress and any issues that arise
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) A dialogue journal is a strategy for two-way communication. Because the parents will be providing comments in the journal, they will likely be more actively engaged in monitoring the effectiveness of the supports at home. The journal enables both the teachers and the parents to share strategies they are finding particularly effective in helping the student improve in the targeted areas.
During an upcoming open house, a prekindergarten teacher plans to give a brief presentation to parents/guardians about ways to promote their children's language development. Which of the following recommendations would be most appropriate for the teacher to include in this presentation? A."Be sure that you establish and maintain eye contact with your children whenever you speak with them." B."If your child points to an object that he or she wants, say the name of the object and require your child to say the word in order to be given the object." C."Ask your children simple yes or no questions during conversations to make sure they understand what you are saying." D."Talk to your child throughout the day and encourage him or her to participate in conversations with family members as much as possible."
Correct Response: D. (Objective 0004) Research has shown that involving young children in frequent, meaningful language interactions with family members (e.g., conversing about family activities, asking questions, giving reasons) is the most effective way to promote their receptive and expressive language development.
The development of object permanence during the sensorimotor stage is significant because it demonstrates that the child can: A. Filter out all but the essential sensory information of a physical item and then select a response. B. Begin to feel more relaxed and secure when away from his or her primary caregivers. C. Recognize the ability to make things happen by eliciting a consistent response from a caregiver. D.Maintain a symbolic representation of an item in memory even when it is out of sight.
D.Maintain a symbolic representation of an item in memory even when it is out of sight. The term object permanense is ued to describe a child's ability to know that objects continue to exist even htough they can no longer be seen or heard. For example, infants under a certain age playing peek-a-boo often become upset that the item they are playing the game with has vanished. This is because they ate too young to understand that the object continues to exist even though it cannot be seen.
