PECT PreK–4 Practice Test Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key pedagogical theories, developmental milestones, assessment terminologies, and specialized educational concepts from the PECT PreK–4 practice test Modules 1, 2, and 3.

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

A psychological theory that focuses primarily on the various ways in which children think and learn.

Scaffolding

A strategy to foster cognitive development where a teacher helps students acquire knowledge and skills they could not acquire on their own by using prompts, suggestions, feedback, and modeling.

Formative Assessment

An essential assessment process that involves monitoring and adjusting a teaching strategy during the learning process based on individual student progress.

Assessment Anchors

Components of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) that clarify the standards assessed to support students' learning of essential skills and knowledge.

Language Proficiency Standards for English Language Learners PreK–12 (ELPS)

A framework used by teachers to ensure that the language function of an assessment is appropriate for a student's level of English language proficiency.

Silent Period

A phase in second-language acquisition during which learners often produce very little oral language while they are still processing and understanding natural English.

Family Systems Theory

A theory describing the central principle that individual family members are mutually influenced by and dependent on one another.

Conflict-Resolution Strategy

A four-step process for students: 1. Stop before losing temper. 2. Say what the conflict is about. 3. Listen to the other person's feelings/ideas. 4. Think of solutions that satisfy both.

Typical Language Development (18 to 24 months)

The developmental age range during which children typically begin using two-word utterances.

Print-Rich Environment

A classroom setting addressed by placing signs, simple written directions, labels for objects, and a library filled with books throughout learning centers.

Diphthong

A linguistic term for a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable, as found in the word 'boiled'.

Sound Boxes

A multisensory procedure where a student places tokens into boxes while slowly saying the sounds in a word to improve the ability to segment words into phonemes.

Semantic Map

A visual strategy used by teachers to help students brainstorm words related to a concept to deepen and clarify their knowledge of known words.

KWL Chart

A strategy (Know, Want to know, Learned) used prior to reading informational text to help students establish a purpose for reading.

Prosodic Reading

A literacy skill involving reading with appropriate expression, rhythm, and intonation, which can be foundationalized by memorizing and reciting poems chorally.

Cultural Diffusion

A social studies concept detailing the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities, used to broaden student understanding of global connections.

Unit Iteration

A measurement concept where a child measures the length of a larger object by lining up several smaller units along its length.

Discrepant Event

A teaching situation that stimulates interest by surprising students with an unexpected result, such as explaining why the combination of $50\,cm^3$ of rubbing alcohol and $50\,cm^3$ of water results in a volume less than $100\,cm^3$.

Adaptation

A life science concept illustrated by observing how physical traits, like beak shape, allow organisms to perform specific tasks such as cracking seeds.

Gross-Motor Development

The physical development involving large muscle groups used for activities such as skipping, galloping, and sliding.