PECT Module 1

Howard Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences focuses primarily on which of the following aspects of education?

A. The key role of environment in promoting children’s learning

B. The use of scaffolding techniques to help children learn

C. The active involvement of children in learning activities

D. The various ways in which children think and learn

Howard Gardener’s theory of multiple intelligences focuses primarily on which of the following aspects of education?

A. The key role of environment in promoting children’s learning

B. The use of scaffolding techniques to help children learn

C. The active involvement of children in learning activities

D. The various ways in which children think and learn

The various ways in which children think and learn

A PREK-4 teacher can best create a culturally inclusive classroom environment for all students by regularly:

A. encouraging students to share information about their cultures with the class.

B. celebrating a variety of cultural holidays from around the world with students.

C. placing students from similar cultural backgrounds together for small-group activities

D. providing students and their families with information about community cultural events

encouraging students to share information about their cultures with the class.

A kindergarten teacher observes two children playing together. The children are attempting to use blocks and other play materials to build a bridge for their toy cards. The first bridge that they build collapses when they begin to roll the toy cars across it. Which of the following teacher questions would best promote the development of the students’ reasoning and problem solving skills?

A. Why do you think the bridge fell over? How can you build the bridge differently?

B. What if you pretended that your cars could fly? Would you still need to build a bridge?

C. What different objects did you use to make your bridge? How are they different?

D. Can you picture a real bridge in your mind? Did your bridge look like a real bridge?

Why do you think that the bridge fell over? How can you build the bridge differently?

Children who demonstrate typical language development most often begin using two-word utterances between the ages of:

A. 6 to 9 months

B. 12 to 15 months

C. 18 to 24 months

D. 30 to 36 months

18 to 24 months

As second grade students are learning a new science concept, the teacher helps them acquire knowledge and skills that they could not acquire on their own by using prompts, giving suggestions, providing feedback, and modeling activities. In this situation, which of the following strategies is the teacher primarily using to foster students’ cognitive development?

A. modeling

B. cooperative learning

C. scaffolding

D. inquiry learning

scaffolding

A prekindergarten teacher wants to establish a classroom environment in which spontaneous play is encouraged and play is recognized and valued as meaningful learning. Which of the following strategies would likely be most effective for the teacher to use to achieve this goal?

A. modeling the correct way to play with new toys and games when introducing them to the classroom

B. asking students to bring in their favorite playthings from home to share with their classmates during show-and-tell

C. designing assessments that ask students to demonstrate content knowledge through play activities

D. ensuring that a variety of materials are available in the classroom for students to try out and explore during play time

ensuring that a variety of materials are available in the classroom for students to try out and explore during play time

PreK-4 teachers have the goal of being culturally competent educators who use an understanding of diversity among young children to plan developmentally, culturally, and linguistically, appropriate instruction that meets the needs of all of their students. The most important first step for the teachers to take in achieving this goal is to:

A. use the internet and other resources to gather basic information about various world cultures

B. survey students’ families to determine what they perceive their role to be in their children’s learning

C. examine their own cultures and beliefs and their impacts on interactions with students

D. observe individual students in self-selected activities to determine their preferred learning styles

examine their own cultures and beliefs and their impacts on interactions with students

According to convergent research, which of the following factors has been shown to have the greatest effect on a child’s language development?

A. the age at which the child starts attending preschool or prekindergarten

B. the number of family members living at home with the child

C. the quality and diversity of books and toys the child is exposed to

D. the amount of verbal input the child receives from caregivers and others

the amount of verbal input the child receives from caregivers and others

Which of the following is an essential component of a formative assessment?

A. monitoring and adjusting a teaching strategy during the learning process based on individual student progress

B. the production of behavioral and academic progress reports that incorporate parental or caregiver insights

C. identifying and summarizing an individual student’s strengths and needs at the end of a unit or semester

D. the development of a timeline designating tasks that will be accomplished by a particular student in a given period of time

monitoring and adjusting a teaching strategy during the learning process based on individual student progress

A third grade teacher develops an assessment for a particular unit prior to writing up the daily lesson plans for the unit. The most important advantage of this approach is that it helps the teacher:

A. align daily lessons and activities with the targeted learning outcomes

B. develop an assessment to match state standards

C. ensure that the assessment will be accessible for all students

D. improve presentation skills for delivering instruction

align daily lessons and activities with the targeted learning outcomes

Which of the following assessment practices would be considered ethical?

A. obtaining actual test items to use as examples when preparing students for a standardized assessment

B. using ongoing informal assessments of students’ learning to guide the instructional process

C. determining assessment accommodations for individual students based on their classroom performance

D. posting standardized assessment results that include students’ identifying information on a class Web page

using ongoing informal assessments of students’ learning to guide the instructional process

A fourth-grade teacher uses a variety of techniques, including questioning and journal prompts, to check for students’ understanding of content-area instruction. Which of the following outcomes in likely to be the most important benefit of this strategy?

A. helping the teacher identify areas where students may need additional reinforcement

B. improving students’ overall performance on standardized assessments

C. allowing the teacher to spend less time creating and grading student assessments

D. encouraging students to view learning as a process and become lifelong learners

helping the teacher identify areas where students may need additional reinforcement

A kindergarten teacher frequently uses home-school notebooks to communicate with families about their children’s progress. For example, the teacher and family of one student recently used such a notebook to keep one another informed about the student’s progress in mastering specific self-help skills. this approach is likely to be most effective in promoting which of the following outcomes?

A. fostering in students a sense of responsibility with regard to their own learning

B. establishing partnerships with families in the assessment of their children's learning and development

C. helping build caring and friendly relationships between the teacher and students

D. enhancing families’ ability to reinforce at home what their children are learning in school

establishing partnerships with families in the assessment of their children's learning and development

Using spreadsheet software to maintain students performance data is likely to provide a teacher with the most support in which of the following areas?

A. identifying specific gaps in students learning

B. providing students with accurate and timely feedback

C. designing activities to address individual learning needs

D. determining an appropriate sequence of instruction

identifying specific gaps in students learning

Which of the following statements best describes a major role of assessment anchors in the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment?

A. providing uniform rules for the types of tests that are allowed to be administered to students in preparing for the PSSA

B. clarifying the standards assessed on the PSSA to support students learning of essential skills and knowledge

C. defining the diverse range of tasks that underlie the educational goals assessed on the PSSA different grade levels

D. providing a conversion tool for converting a particular students PSSA score into a grade-level equivalent

clarifying the standards assessed on the PSSA to support students learning of essential skills and knowledge

A fourth-grade class includes a number of students who are English language learners. The teacher is designing formative assessment to measure students understanding of a specific science concept. when developing this assessment the teacher can use Pennsylvania's Language Proficiency Standards for English language Learners PreK-12 most effectively to:

A. identify the particular supports that individual students are likely to require during the assessment

B. help ensure that the language function of the assessment is appropriate for this student’s level of English Language Proficiency

C. make adaptations to the core content assessed that are appropriate for the student’s academic levels

D. determine whether students have achieved the necessary level of English language proficiency to participate in the assessment

help ensure that the language function of the assessment is appropriate for this students level of English Language Proficiency

A student who is an English language learner who qualifies for migrant education services joins a second-grade class partly into the school year. the teacher is preparing to administer a variety of informal assessments to the student. Which of the following teacher goals should be the main focus of these assessments?

A. evaluating whether the student demonstrates any signs of disability

B. determining the students general level of English language proficiency

C. measuring the students language proficiency and literacy level in home language

D. identifying any specific weaknesses in the students academic knowledge and skills

identifying any specific weaknesses in the students academic knowledge and skills

A first-grade teacher uses a language experience approach with beginning-level students who are English language learners. a student dictates a story based on personal experience to the teacher who writes the story verbatim. the teacher then leads the student in various reading and language activities use the dictated text. a primary benefit of this approach is that it helps the student:

A. access important content-area vocabulary

B. develop phonemic awareness in English

C. achieve grade-level reading and writing standards

D. make connections between oral and written English

make connections between oral and written English

Which of the following accommodations to a content-area reading assignment best provided universal access for all learners?

A. providing digital textbooks with features such as images, text-to-speech, videos, and modifiable text

B. reading aloud the text to students as they follow along in their textbooks and asking frequent questions

C. offering after-school Peer tutoring for students who need extra help reading the content

D. providing a list of vocabulary words and definitions to students in advance of the reading

providing digital textbooks with features such as images, text-to-speech, videos, and modifiable text

A second-grade teacher is reading a story aloud to a class that includes several students who are English language learners. throughout the reading, the teacher pauses to verify students’ comprehension. the teacher encourages all students to speak and participate in discussions during and after the reading. which of the following types of feedback from the teacher would provide meaningful English language input to the students who are English language learners during the discussions?

A. repeating what students say to model correct pronunciation

B. posing literal questions that elicit one- or two-word answers

C. giving simple explanations about basic grammar rules and syntax

D. responding to the intent and content of the students’ utterances

responding to the intent and content of the students’ utterances

A kindergarten teacher works with two students who are English language learners who have no prior exposure to English. She exposes them to natural English in meaningful contexts but does not push them to contribute to discussions. She allows them to respond to questions nonverbally or with one-word answers. The teacher's actions best demonstrate her awareness that second-language learners often:

A. go through a silent period during which they produce very little oral language.

B. experience first-language interference that hinders their ability to speak a new language

C. develop expressive language skills before they develop receptive language skills

D. have limited experience speaking their first language for communicative purposes

go through a silent period during which they produce very little oral language.

Which if the following characteristics would indicate atypical cognitive development in a four-year-old child?

A. having difficulty matching a toy car to a picture of a car

B. Naming only four colors correctly

C. counting accurately to ten but no further

D. Engaging only occasionally in fantasy play

having difficulty matching a toy car to a picture of a car

A kindergarten teacher is planning to read aloud a picture book to the class. one of the students in the class has a visual impairment that severely limits vision to several inches. Which of the following accommodations would best help this student participate in this activity?

A. providing an individual copy of the book to the student to look at

B. Arranging for the student to listen to a recording of the story at a later time

C. obtaining a large print copy of the book to read aloud to the class

D. sitting in front of a well-lit window while reading

providing an individual copy of the book to the student to look at

An IEP annual review meeting has been scheduled for a second-grade student who is currently placed in a general education classroom full time. Which of the following elements of the review is most likely to be provided by the students general education teacher?

A. a recommendation for additional diagnostic testing for the student

B. an explanation of the students standardized test scores

C. a description of the present level of performance the student has achieved

D. an overview of the nature of the students special needs

a description of the present level of performance the student has achieved

Which of the following statements accurately describes a central principle of the family systems theory?

A. families internal dynamics are directly influenced by the community environment

B. patterns of interaction within families remain consistent over time

C. families evolve through predictable and identifiable developmental stages

D. Individual family members are mutually influenced by and dependent on one another

Individual family members are mutually influenced by and dependent on one another

In support of a schoolwide initiative to enhance the learning environment for students with disabilities, fourth-grade teachers will be participating in regular meetings with special education professionals. The primary focus of these meetings should be to:

A. identify innovative techniques that can be implemented to meet the needs of students with disabilities

B. analyze the classroom performance of students with disabilities and agree on revisions to make to the students IEP's

C. determine the most appropriate instructional settings for students with disabilities

D. examine the effectiveness of current practices in meeting the needs of students with disabilities and make adjustments as needed

examine the effectiveness of current practices in meeting the needs of students with disabilities and make adjustments as needed

Federal law allows schools to disclose information in a students educational records without parental consent to which of the following individuals?

A. representatives of the community agencies that provide services to the school

B. Educators with legitimate educational interest in the student

C. staff at postsecondary institutions who are conducting educational research

D. Teachers who provide instruction to the students siblings

Educators with legitimate educational interest in the student

A new third-grade teacher believes that too much instructional time is being used each day to pass out students graded work, so the teacher decides to put graded papers in a basket for students to pick up on their own throughout the day. This action is considered inappropriate primarily because it:

A. infringes on the students right to privacy

B. requires the students to assume responsibility for an administrative task

C. diminishes the students sense of accountability

D. provides students with delayed feedback regarding their performance

infringes on the students right to privacy

A kindergarten teachers weekly newsletter includes information about community programs and special events that are designed specifically for children. This practice is likely to be most effective in helping the teacher achieve which of the following goals?

A. reinforcing to families the importance of their children's regular participation in enrichment activities

B. promoting families recognition of the teachers knowledge and expertise

C. connecting families with resources to help promote their children's learning and development

D. Providing the foundation for a positive relationship between school and home

connecting families with resources to help promote their children's learning and development

During a routine parent-teacher conference, a students parent confides to the teacher about a recent job loss. the single parent, with an infant and toddler at home, explains that child care, health insurance, and housing are no longer affordable. In this situation, the teachers most important priority should be to:

A. reassure the parent that the teacher is always available to listen and offer support

B. urge the parent to inform friends and relatives of the circumstances and seek their support

C. solicit donations from school staff to provide the parent with short-term support

D. connect the parent to available support services in the community

connect the parent to available support services in the community

Which of the following preconditions is most essential to effective collaboration among a group of teachers with diverse philosophies and teaching styles?

A. arranging for a school administrator to participate in their planning activities and meditate as needed

B. recognizing that they have a common goal of educating the students entrusted to their care

C. providing one another with background information on the students in their classes

D. identifying a leader who will be responsible for leading discussions and recording decisions

recognizing that they have a common goal of educating the students entrusted to their care

A new teacher regularly writes in a teaching journal. In addition to considering the success of his lessons, the teacher reflects on his interactions with students and on how his thoughts and actions during these interactions were culturally motivated. This strategy best demonstrates the teacher's awareness of which of the following principles?

A. personal values and beliefs can influence a teacher's communication practices

B. high expectations for all students can promote their academic performance

C. social identity and peer pressure can affect students classroom behavior

D. effective conflict-resolution skills can help a teacher prevent classroom conflicts

personal values and beliefs can influence a teacher's communication practices

A kindergarten teacher who wants to provide a positive social context for learning decides that one way to do this is to ensure educational equity for all students. The teacher can best promote such equity by:

A. using similar instructional methods and materials for all students

B. providing all students with support in meeting high standards of achievement

C. offering all students choices regarding their own learning activities

D. creating a program in which the families of all students are encouraged to participate

providing all students with support in meeting high standards of achievement

A teacher learns that the district is considering requiring all first-grade students to engage in academic testing that the teacher believes is developmentally inappropriate. In this situation, the teacher can best serve as an advocate for students by taking which of the following actions first?

A. discussing the issue with students families

B. offering to help a local reporter write a story on the issue

C. talking to the school principal about the issue

D. posting research on the issue on the school's web site

talking to the school principal about the issue

After reviewing midyear testing data, a fourth-grade teacher is concerned about an increase in achievement differences between groups of students in the class. In attempting to address this issue, the teacher should begin by:

A. determining the percentage of students in the class who currently achieve at or above grade level

B. identifying those students in the class who tend to remain on-task during instructional activities

C. asking other teachers at the school whether they are seeing similar trends in their classes

D. examining personal attitudes, expectations, and practices regarding learning for all students in the class

examining personal attitudes, expectations, and practices regarding learning for all students in the class

In choosing a professional development activity from among various options, a teacher's first consideration should be to determine which option is most likely to:

A. be relevant to teaching across a range of subject areas and grade levels

B. offer participants an opportunity to network with educators from other schools

C. provide research-based information relevant to current instructional issues or needs

D. reflect the ideas of individuals who represent varied backgrounds and points of view

provide research-based information relevant to current instructional issues or needs

Teachers have an ethical responsibility to:

A. provide each student with opportunities to learn alongside peers with similar backgrounds

B. show flexibility in defining standards for academic performance

C. use personal preferences when determining classroom behavior expectations

D. respond to the needs of all students

respond to the needs of all students

According to privacy rights guidelines, a teacher could appropriately share a student's school records with which of the following individuals?

A. a teacher who taught two years ago and wishes to check on the students academic progress

B. a school counselor who believes the student would benefit from participating in upcoming small-group counseling sessions

C. a college professor who has received a substantial grant to conduct research on factors that influence young children's learning

D. a school nurse who knows the student outside of school and is a long-time friend of the students family

a school counselor who believes the student would benefit from participating in upcoming small-group counseling sessions

in a PreK-4 program that practices a philosophy of inclusion for students with disabilities, a fundamental responsibility for teachers is to ensure that students with disabilities:

A. are subject to the same evaluate criteria as their non disabled peers

B. have opportunities to interact with others who have similar disabilities

C. are active participants in all class activities

D. have peer helpers available to assist with social challenges in the classroom

are active participants in all class activities

A new teacher's meetings with an assigned mentor are likely to be most productive if the new teacher:

A. obtains information from the mentor about the topics to be addressed prior to each meeting

B. documents what occurs at each meeting and then periodically reviews the documentation

C. prepares for each meeting by identifying particular classroom concerns to discuss

D. begins each meeting by summarizing learning goals addressed in class since the last meeting

prepares for each meeting by identifying particular classroom concerns to discuss

Who is known for their theory of cognitive development that looked at how children develop intellectually throughout the course of childhood, and the intelligence changes as children grow?

A. Jean Piaget

B. Lev Vygotsky

C. B.F. Skinner

D. Maria Montessori

Jean Piaget

Who is known for their educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally. The method suggests that children learn best in an environment that has been prepared to enable them to do things for themselves. Always child-centered, the learning environment should promote freedom for children to explore materials of their choice.

A. Urie Bronfenbrenner

B. Maria Montessori

C. Albert Bandura

D. John Dewy

Maria Montessori

Teachers often have students share what they write with a group or a partner. What is the best reason for having students share writing pieces?

A. So that students can help each other edit taking the burden from the teacher.

B. Students will help each other by responding as readers or listeners.

C. The partner is a different audience each time a piece is read.

D. Different topics will be addressed as partners see what others are writing

Students will help each other by responding as readers or listeners.

Who is known for their social learning theory? this person found that people learn not only as a result of their own beliefs and expectations but also by modeling or observing others.

A. Lev Vygotsky

B. John Dewy

C. Albert Bandura

D. Maria Montessori

Albert Bandura

Jessica, a 6 month old baby in the infant room, has been losing weight, is irritable and has been tired and sleepy everyday she is at the center. On top of that, Jessica does not smile or make any type of social response to her caretakers and she is showing indicators that she is delayed in motor development. Lastly, Jessica does not appear to have a bond with anyone that cares for her, even her mother. What is the developmental concern that may be happening with Jessica?

A. Going through a growth spurt

B. Jessica is exhibiting signs that she has a developmental disorder like autism

C. Jessica is showing signs that she is failing to thrive

D. Jessica is showing symptoms of a slow to warm up child

Jessica is showing signs that she is failing to thrive

One of the most important responsibilities of a teacher is the construction of valid and reliable tests. Which of the following is not one of the basic principles of test construction?

A. Construct a blueprint that reflects the objectives of the content to be learned.

B. Include only students who have mastered the set of criteria necessary for the test.

C. Be sure that tests reflect the emphasis given to various objectives during instruction of knowledge and/or skills.

D. Follow best testing procedures for the area of knowledge or the skill the student is expected to acquire.

Include only students who have mastered the set of criteria necessary for the test.