PLT Study Guide
Which of the following activities best reflects a family-centered program and a promotion of parent partnerships with the school? A. Relating classroom activities to the various needs and interests of children and families B. Creating programs that offer community resources after school C. Implementing before- and after-school programs for students in the community D. Providing opportunities for families to use the school's computer lab
A. Relating classroom activities to the various needs and interests of children and families
A teacher who supports the theory of social learning will most likely plan instruction to include which of the following activities? A. Using think-alouds to model how to question text B. Introducing new learning activities with a KWL chart C. Having students write reflective statements at the end of lessons D. Posing Socratic questions during class discussions
A. Using think-alouds to model how to question text
Aria's class is learning how to write their first and last names in cursive. Despite guidance from her teacher, and many attempts, Aria is unable to form the letters correctly and with the appropriate size and spacing. According to Edward Thorndike, Aria's inability to write her name in cursive is explained by the law of A. readiness B. recency C. exercise D. belongingness
A. readiness
Which of the following assessments is most likely to be criterion referenced? A.A chapter test from a textbook B.A college entrance exam C.An audition D.An intelligence test
A.A chapter test from a textbook
Effective teacher study groups primarily contain which of the following components? A.A few key questions to provide teachers with a direction for inquiry B.Mandated attendance at meetings to ensure that all teachers participate C.Side conversations to allow all members to feel heard by others D.Groups that include the entire staff to allow every member of the faculty to have input
A.A few key questions to provide teachers with a direction for inquiry
Under the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which of the following strategies is an example of a modification a teacher can most appropriately make in a classroom to meet the needs of a student with a learning disability? A.Adapting content areas by simplifying vocabulary and content load B.Reducing the distractions within the physical environment C.Using manipulatives and hands-on activities to explain a concept D.Extending or adjusting the time allotted to complete an assessment
A.Adapting content areas by simplifying vocabulary and content load
Several weeks after completing a unit on butterflies, a teacher asks students to recall information about the life cycle of butterflies. The teacher reminds the students about the bulletin board they created on this topic. Which of the following types of memory is the teacher prompting students to use? A.Episodic B.Procedural C.Emotional D.Automatic
A.Episodic
Which of the following statements best identifies a limitation of using a developmental portfolio as an assessment tool? A.Establishing reliable and valid evaluative criteria can be challenging. B.Ratings of student work are consistently more objective than subjective. C.The contents of portfolios are not typical of student work. D.Portfolios measure superficial learning only
A.Establishing reliable and valid evaluative criteria can be challenging.
During a science lesson, a teacher reads aloud The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and asks the students to predict what will happen while the caterpillar is in the chrysalis. To best encourage a high level of student participation and collaboration in the activity, which of the following strategies is best for the teacher to use? A.Having students complete a think-pair-share activity B.Asking students to write a prediction in their journals C.Involving students in a whole-group discussion D.Allowing students to read a relevant chapter from a textbook
A.Having students complete a think-pair-share activity
At the beginning of the school year, a teacher puts students in small groups to discuss and recommend a list of classroom rules. Which of the following is most likely the purpose of the activity? A.Increasing student motivation to adhere to the rules B.Providing the opportunity for students to get to know their classmates C.Developing students' collaborative and cooperative skills D.Teaching the role of rules in an orderly society
A.Increasing student motivation to adhere to the rules
Which of the following teacher actions is most effective for creating a positive learning environment in a classroom? A.Planning instructional activities that are relevant to students B.Engaging students by using project-based, hands-on activities C.Creating and implementing standards for student behavior D.Using a token system to reward student achievement
A.Planning instructional activities that are relevant to students
Which of the following teacher actions will most effectively support reading motivation in the classroom? A.Providing students with books that are relevant to their everyday experiences B.Having students read challenging materials in groups to improve their skills C.Requiring students to read independently for a set amount of time each night D.Rewarding students who read the most books every month with extra credit points
A.Providing students with books that are relevant to their everyday experiences
A fourth-grade teacher observes that several students are upset about their mathematics grades. The students are receiving low grades on daily assignments and weekly quizzes, and some are beginning to show signs of low self-efficacy. Which of the following teacher actions will most help the students regain their self-efficacy? A.Providing students with descriptive and specific feedback that aligns with their strengths B.Implementing a gradual release system of tangible rewards for improved performance C.Developing study guides to help students and parents prepare for upcoming tests D.Ensuring that formative and summative assessments are aligned to learning objectives
A.Providing students with descriptive and specific feedback that aligns with their strengths
A fifth-grade teacher wants to increase student participation in classroom discussions. The teacher can best achieve this goal by using which of the following approaches? A.Providing sufficient wait time after asking a question so that all students have an opportunity to develop an answer B.Providing correct answers quickly so that students are not embarrassed by giving incorrect answers C.Providing the questions in advance so that students can research the answers before being asked D.Providing multiple opportunities for students to answer questions so that they feel more comfortable
A.Providing sufficient wait time after asking a question so that all students have an opportunity to develop an answer
Which of the following is the best assessment for a teacher to use to quantify students' specific strengths and weaknesses in reading? A.Running record B.End-of-unit test C.Class participation D.Reading journal
A.Running record
Which of the following learning theories is a physical education teacher applying by pairing less skilled players with more skilled players for tennis practice? A.Social development B.Cognitivism C.Constructivism D.Behaviorism
A.Social development
When considering the educational implications for a student with an intellectual disability, the teacher should primarily focus on A.modifying the general curriculum and implementing direct teaching strategies B.collecting data to measure ongoing academic progress in an adapted curriculum C.assuring full access to all school-sponsored activities D.teaching social skills and developing a behavioral intervention plan
A.modifying the general curriculum and implementing direct teaching strategies
Second-grade teachers meet to review the results of a benchmark reading assessment. After reviewing the data, they discuss strategies they can use to support struggling readers. The teachers agree to meet the following month to discuss how the struggling readers are progressing. The professional development practice the teachers are using is A.participating in a professional learning community B.completing independent research C.holding a study group D.conducting action research
A.participating in a professional learning community
Which of the following should a teacher do to best improve content knowledge in science? A. Participate in an online book club for teachers B. Join the National Science Teachers Association C. Attend a district-wide professional-development seminar D. Watch a video about how to differentiate instruction in science
B. Join the National Science Teachers Association
Which of the following actions is the best example of a teacher applying the zone of proximal development theory? A. Assigning reading for the students to preview before a lesson on a new topic B. Using pretest data to develop lessons that account for students' prior knowledge C. Providing technology in class to keep students interested in a topic D. Playing a vocabulary game to help students prepare for an upcoming test
B. Using pretest data to develop lessons that account for students' prior knowledge
Mario, a kindergartner, recently moved to the United States from Guatemala and is in the early stages of acquiring English. Which of the following approaches best meets Mario's needs? A.Encouraging Mario to speak only English during the school day B.Helping Mario learn English according to his own pace C.Providing Mario with additional English study materials D.Contacting Mario's parents to ask about the use of English at home
B.Helping Mario learn English according to his own pace
A fourth-grade teacher wants to assess the level of student understanding during a math lesson. The teacher asks the students to respond to a series of questions with thumbs-up or thumbs-down to indicate their answer. Most students indicate incorrect responses to several questions. Which of the following strategies is best for the teacher to implement next? A.Making note of the incorrect responses and planning for remediation B.Adjusting instruction immediately to correct the errors C.Continuing with the lesson to ensure that the content standards are covered D.Repeating the questioning process at the end of the lesson
B.Adjusting instruction immediately to correct the errors
Avery, a first grader, performs at grade level on classroom reading assessments, yet a standardized assessment indicates she is in the 30th percentile for reading for her grade. Her parents are concerned about the discrepancy in test scores. Which of the following is the teacher's best response to the parents' concern? A.Avery's scores indicate she is a likely candidate for special education services. B.Avery's level of performance in reading cannot be determined by a single test score. C.Avery will benefit from one-on-one tutoring with a reading specialist. D.Avery needs to learn strategies for reducing test anxiety.
B.Avery's level of performance in reading cannot be determined by a single test score.
Which TWO of the following are distinguishing characteristics of interdisciplinary instruction? A.Uses multiple instructional resources B.Combines knowledge and skills associated with two or more content areas C.Uses teams of teachers to plan lessons, deliver instruction, and create assessments D.Differentiates instruction to meet the needs of a variety of learners
B.Combines knowledge and skills associated with two or more content areas C.Uses teams of teachers to plan lessons, deliver instruction, and create assessments
Which of the following statements best describes a limitation of an online portfolio for a student assessment? A.The results can be skewed by student apathy. B.Content mastery is difficult to determine objectively. C.Grading-system automation is difficult. D.A rubric can provide too much support for the students
B.Content mastery is difficult to determine objectively.
A teacher observes that a fifth grader has frequent tantrums that include foot stamping and spitting. The behavior indicates atypical development in which of the following domains? A.Social B.Emotional C.Physical D.Cognitive
B.Emotional
Which of the following pairs of terms best describes the focus of standards-based education? A.Multiculturalism and equality B.Expectations and accountability C.Innovation and potential D.Enrichment and remediation
B.Expectations and accountability
Which of the following statements is most appropriate for an educator's reflective journal? A.When I begin a new unit of study, I select resource materials and write outlines for the main topics. B.I think my conferences with students will be more effective if I spend more time listening and asking questions. C.I am going to write missed assignments on slips of paper to give to absent students when they return to school. D.My grade-level leader thinks I have difficulty relating to older staff members.
B.I think my conferences with students will be more effective if I spend more time listening and asking questions.
A fourth-grade teacher places students in small groups. Each group receives a soil sample from a geographic region of the United States. The teacher instructs students to examine the sample and note its characteristics. Students then study various geographic regions, including each region's vegetation, animal life, minerals, and natural resources. The teacher challenges students to use the information they have found about the sample and each region to hypothesize the sample's origin. The activity is an example of which of the following instructional models? A.Direct B.Indirect C.Independent D.Experiential
B.Indirect
Which of the following laws requires teachers to consult a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) when planning instructional strategies, activities, resources, and assessments? A.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) B.Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) C.Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act D.Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
B.Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Which of the following scores is best for determining how a student has performed on a test when compared to a peer group taking the same test? A.Raw score B.Percentile rank C.Stanine D.Grade-equivalent score
B.Percentile rank
Which of the following is the most appropriate action a teacher should take if abuse or neglect of a student in the class is suspected? A.Monitoring the child to evaluate changes in the situation B.Reporting suspicions to the appropriate child welfare agency C.Asking a colleague to interview the student to obtain additional information D.Contacting the student's parents or guardians to investigate the situation
B.Reporting suspicions to the appropriate child welfare agency
Which of the following scenarios most closely describes the learning environment in a classroom that utilizes constructivist theory? A.Mentoring and monitoring students as they learn social behaviors from others in the school setting B.Sharing and equalizing interactions between the teacher and the students throughout the day C.Employing extrinsic rewards provided by the teacher to the students to encourage participation D.Providing consequences to students to reinforce behaviors that allow for progress
B.Sharing and equalizing interactions between the teacher and the students throughout the day
Which of the following types of memory is primarily increased by chunking information? A.Long-term memory B.Short-term memory C.Implicit memory D.Declarative memory
B.Short-term memory
Before students read a chapter from the class novel, the teacher asks them to record a prediction in their reading journals about what they think is going to happen. After they finish reading the chapter, the teacher asks them to comment on the predictions they made before reading. The act of making and thinking about predictions is primarily an example of A.reflection B.metacognition C.adding meaning D.transfer of knowledge
B.metacognition
The primary benefit of using scoring guides for student assessment is that A.teachers can easily align student performance with grade-level learning goals B.teachers have an evaluative standard that promotes consistent scoring C.students have a step-by-step checklist to follow while completing their work D.students are prompted to reflect on their work at certain points in the scoring guide
B.teachers have an evaluative standard that promotes consistent scoring
Which of the following scenarios best describes a teacher's use of holistic scoring? A. A teacher reads a student paper and places it into the high, middle, or low scoring group. The teacher then rereads each group of papers to assign a letter grade. B. A teacher reads a student paper and looks for the criteria on the scoring rubric. The teacher adds up the points for each criterion and assigns a single number grade to each paper. C. 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. D. A teacher reads a student paper and assigns a score to each criterion. The teacher writes feedback on the paper about the score for each criterion.
C. 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.
Which of the following assessments can a teacher use to best determine whether a student is reading on grade level? A. Aptitude test B. Ability test C. Achievement test D. Unit test
C. Achievement test
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. Which of the following should Mr. Irwin consider first about Aiko? A. Aiko is an elementary-aged student and does not have the attention span to participate during class time. B. Aiko is bored and does not have interest in the lessons. C. Aiko may have grown up in a culture that encouraged him to be quiet and obedient without questioning his superiors. D. Aiko may have a learning disability that is preventing him from asking questions
C. Aiko may have grown up in a culture that encouraged him to be quiet and obedient without questioning his superiors.
Which of the following teacher strategies is most effective for motivating elementary students to read recreationally? A. Reminding students that reading is crucial to getting a good job in the future B. Offering incentives, such as rewards for the number of pages read C. Creating a class library that includes a variety of topics and a range of reading levels D. Using a progress-monitoring assessment program that awards points for books read
C. Creating a class library that includes a variety of topics and a range of reading levels
An elementary school teacher has developed a series of centers at which students can practice literacy skills and create learning logs. Which of the following teaching strategies is the teacher most likely utilizing? A. Direct instruction B. Experiential learning C. Independent study D. Interactive instruction
C. Independent study
Which of the following teacher activities best supports reflective practice? A.Completing weekly lesson plans B.Talking to students about their learning C.Journaling about classroom experiences D.Designing assessments to measure content mastery
C. Journaling about classroom experiences
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 month. Ms. Erman is frustrated that the mentor spends the whole time sharing personal issues and disregards Ms. Erman's questions. Which of the following best helps Ms. Erman obtain the needed support to address and resolve the issue? A. Scheduling a meeting with the mentor to share her frustration B. Seeking another colleague's advice about the situation C. Meeting with the principal to discuss how to manage the problem D. Sending a formal letter to the director of human resources about the lack of help
C. Meeting with the principal to discuss how to manage the problem
A student who has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) needs additional time to complete work and to take tests. Which of the following pieces of legislation is most appropriate for the school to use in implementing a plan to help the student? A. No Child Left Behind Act B. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act C. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act D. Americans with Disabilities Act
C. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
With respect to phonemic awareness, which of the following could be the greatest area of challenge for an English-language learner? 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 homophone
C. Sounds that are different in the student's native language
Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of metacognition on the learning of elementary students? A. Students become aware of their use of cognitive strategies as early as two years old. B. Students naturally notice how the use of effective cognitive strategies leads to success. C. Students benefit from receiving explicit instruction on when to use cognitive strategies. D. Students best comprehend cognitive strategies when they are introduced to them in middle school.
C. Students benefit from receiving explicit instruction on when to use cognitive strategies.
The use of which of the following is most effective for improving the reading fluency of emerging readers? A. Silent reading B. Concept maps C. Timed repeated readings D. Story maps
C. Timed repeated readings
According to social learning theory, students working within the zone of proximal development are most likely to learn because they are A. thinking independently B. relying on their prior knowledge C. receiving support from a knowledgeable helper D. using concrete objects to learn abstract concepts
C. receiving support from a knowledgeable helper
When structuring reading groups according to student level of ability, which of the following is the best practice? A.Making sure that groups are composed of students with a similar level of ability B.Making sure that each group has a mix of students with low, average, or high levels of ability C.Basing students' placement on their most recent reading assessment D.Basing students' placement on the text they have chosen, regardless of its difficulty level
C.Basing students' placement on their most recent reading assessment
Which of the following is a teacher's best strategy for increasing the number of students who participate in class discussions and improving the quality of their responses? A.Calling on students who rarely participate in discussions B.Writing discussion questions on the board so students can see them C.Increasing the wait time between asking a question and selecting a student to answer D.Sequencing discussion questions from low to high levels of thinking
C.Increasing the wait time between asking a question and selecting a student to answer
After two students refuse to help their table mates clean up the learning center, the teacher gives tokens for good behavior to those students who helped clean up. Which of the following is the teacher using to deal with the two unhelpful students? A.Positive reinforcement B.Negative reinforcement C.Negative punishment D.Positive punishment
C.Negative punishment
Which of the following best describes the rights of parents as covered under FERPAF E R P A? A.Parents must be included in the development of an IEPI E P for their child. B.Parents must be involved in the decision-making process regarding their child's academic placement. C.Parents can request that a school correct their child's records if they believe that the records are inaccurate or misleading. D.Parents can inspect and revise any instructional material used as part of their child's educational curriculum.
C.Parents can request that a school correct their child's records if they believe that the records are inaccurate or misleading.
A fourth-grade class contains several students who are reading below grade level. Which of the following is the best activity for improving their reading fluency and comprehension? A.Memorizing new vocabulary B.Completing questions about the text they read C.Participating in readers' theater D.Reading books written above their instructional level
C.Participating in readers' theater
A fifth-grade science teacher is preparing a unit on biodiversity. Which of the following is the best initial action the teacher can take to support the learning of English-language learners in the class? A.Pairing the English-language learners with English-speaking partners for help with reading and writing assignments B.Preparing an alternate unit for the English-language learners that has less complex learning objectives C.Preteaching content-related vocabulary to the English-language learners before each lesson D.Placing the English-language learners in a group that is taught separately by a paraprofessional
C.Preteaching content-related vocabulary to the English-language learners before each lesson
A first-grade teacher observes that Darren has difficulty acquiring new skills, struggles to communicate his needs, and requires assistance putting on his coat and going through the cafeteria line. The teacher plans to refer Darren for evaluation for special education services to address a possible A.visual impairment B.behavioral disorder C.intellectual disability D.gross-motor delay
C.intellectual disability
During back-to-school night, a teacher shares strategies parents can use to support students' understanding and application of skills taught in class. The teacher is involving parents by sharing information about A.valuing education B.establishing home/school partnerships C.reinforcing learning D.building students' study skills
C.reinforcing learning
Library media specialists in a school setting are primarily responsible for A.selecting and organizing the resources teachers use in instruction B.facilitating collaboration among teachers C.supporting the development of information and technological literacy D.teaching students sequential library and study skills
C.supporting the development of information and technological literacy
Which of the following strategies is most likely to increase students' self-motivation during a unit? A. Planning project-based, hands-on activities B. Organizing a culminating performance for parents C. Providing students with extrinsic rewards for finishing activities D. Offering students a menu of activities to choose from
D. Offering students a menu of activities to choose from
Which of the following strategies best increases motivation and achievement in students? A. Designing a more rigorous and challenging curriculum B. Allowing students to design the curriculum in its entirety C. Setting realistic goals for the class and helping students achieve them D. Providing students with a menu of instructional choices
D. Providing students with a menu of instructional choices
A teacher wants to improve the literacy skills and self-motivation of several fifth-grade students who are struggling with reading and writing. Which of the following strategies will most likely accomplish this goal? A. Giving special rewards to students who complete reading and writing assignments correctly B. Modeling positive reading and writing skills and praising students who exhibit the modeled behaviors C. Praising students for all attempts to complete reading and writing tasks, even if they are not successful D. Providing students with engaging materials and focused instruction on successfully completing reading and writing tasks
D. Providing students with engaging materials and focused instruction on successfully completing reading and writing tasks
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 A. improve students' composition skills B. support students' inquiry of various topics C. enable students to develop a product D. encourage students' expression of ideas
D. encourage students' expression of ideas
Which of the following is a teacher's best course of action when a sixth-grade student answers a question incorrectly? A.Telling the student the response is incorrect and then providing the correct answer B.Changing the question and allowing another student to respond to the new question C.Restating the question so that another student can correct the student's wrong answer
D.Asking the student a probing question to understand the student's reason for the response
Which of the following classroom practices best exemplifies Maslow's educational philosophy? A.Challenging enduring student beliefs about their capacity to learn B.Offering extrinsic prizes based on data in a student behavior chart C.Assigning students as leaders to serve as role models for others D.Creating an environment in which students feel safe taking risks
D.Creating an environment in which students feel safe taking risks
Which of the following best describes the type of scoring that applies many criteria at the same time to evaluate an end-of-course project and results in a single grade? A.Task-specific scoring B.Analytic scoring C.Developmental scoring D.Holistic scoring
D.Holistic scoring
Which of the following variables exerts the most influence on a student's academic achievement? A.Parents' employment status B.Student's culture C.Number of siblings in the household D.Parents' level of education
D.Parents' level of education
A fourth-grade teacher is about to start a reading lesson, but the classroom is noisy with talkative students. Which of the following is the most effective nonverbal communication strategy that the teacher can use to capture students' attention in order to begin the lesson? A.Frowning at the students who are doing the most talking B.Standing at the front of the room with arms crossed C.Sitting down at the desk until the students stop talking D.Standing still at the front of the room while staring at the clock
D.Standing still at the front of the room while staring at the clock
In Goss v. Lopez, the Supreme Court ruled that students are entitled to a hearing prior to or closely following a school suspension. The Court's ruling upholds students' right to A.freedom of speech B.equal access C.privacy D.due process
D.due process
Benson is a third-grade student who receives special education services. He is regularly disruptive in class. His general education teacher has implemented motivational strategies to address Benson's behavior, yet he has not shown improvement. Which of the following is the teacher's most appropriate next step? A.Recommending that Benson be placed in a self-contained classroom B.Providing Benson with material rewards for appropriate behavior C.Sending Benson to the principal's office when he misbehaves D.Presenting information about Benson's behavior to the IEP team
Presenting information about Benson's behavior to the IEP team