Question 1

Students have just arrived in class, and the teacher has written the week's reading assignment on the board. Students are to read one section of The Post each day and develop a personal reaction paper to world events. Which approach to reading does this relate to?

Accepted Answer

A)   Phonics approach
B)   Whole-language approach
C)   Cognitive approach
D)   Social constructivist approach B

Question 2

Which theme addresses cultural similarities and differences?

Accepted Answer

A)   People, places, and environments
B)   Individual development and identity
C)   Power, authority, and governance
D)   Culture D

Question 3

Which of the following assignments is the best example of "free-writing"?

Accepted Answer

A)   After studying a topic in life science, students are asked to write a summary of the main ideas and to develop examples.
B)   After students are presented with an idea for a topic, they are asked to write whatever they want about it.
C)   After students are given a chance to reflect on a recent event, they are asked to write a poem or short story about it.
D)   After proposing a controversial topic for debate, students are asked to generate logical arguments supporting one side or the other. B

Question 4

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   All teachers need to master is those effective teaching practices that extend across all subjects.
B)   Most effective teaching practices do not extend across all subjects.
C)   While many effective teaching practices extend across subject areas, teachers also need basic understanding of content knowledge exclusive to a given subject area.
D)   The most effective teachers focus on content knowledge specific to their subject area.

Question 5

Students get into their groups before receiving their reading assignment. The teacher reminds students of the three rules of group reading in her classroom: help each other, share your opinions, and ask peers or the teacher questions if you don't understand. Which approach to reading does this relate to?

Accepted Answer

A)   Phonics approach
B)   Whole-language approach
C)   Cognitive approach
D)   Social constructivist approach

Question 6

Outline possible benefits of the approach to math instruction that emphasizes connecting with parents.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline possible benefits of the approach to...

Question 7

After leaving school, Ms. Crandall catches another colleague in the parking lot. She expresses to him that while she can explain any of the concepts focal to teaching fourth-grade science, she is having trouble reaching her students. She just can't get them to see the link between the content matter and real-world application; therefore, she is having trouble keeping them motivated and on-task. In which area is Ms. Crandall experiencing difficulty?

Accepted Answer

A)   Reciprocal teaching
B)   Transactional instruction
C)   Expert knowledge
D)   Pedagogical content knowledge

Question 8

Reading instruction that emphasizes paralleling children's natural learning of language and the use of meaningful reading material refers to which approach to reading?

Accepted Answer

A)   Phonics approach
B)   Whole-language approach
C)   Cognitive approach
D)   Social constructivist approach

Question 9

If teachers want to effectively incorporate writing into the curriculum, they should focus on free- writing assignments and forgo more formal assignments, as students may get overwhelmed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Mary has become good at remembering specific words and basic reading skills. However, she still has not mastered the concept of learning from reading. This is because she must devote all her attention to the mechanical aspect of reading. Which developmental stage of reading would you say Mary is in?

Accepted Answer

A)   Stage 1
B)   Stage 2
C)   Stage 3
D)   Stage 4

Question 11

Which is not a theme for social studies instruction proposed by the National Council for the Social Sciences?

Accepted Answer

A)   Time, continuity, and change
B)   Individual development and identity
C)   Science, technology, and society
D)   Focus on American social concerns

Question 12

In order to provide a supportive context for writing, teachers should provide what type of goals?

Accepted Answer

A)   Those that are simple so students are willing to try
B)   Those that are hard so students benefit from high teacher expectations
C)   Those of moderate difficulty so they are challenging yet realistic
D)   There is no one right way to determine effective goals.

Question 13

Mr. Littleton is a new teacher at Southpoint Academy. If his teaching centers on civics and cultural diversity, and includes such disciplines as economics, geography, and psychology, which content area does he teach in?

Accepted Answer

A)   Social studies
B)   Science
C)   Philosophy
D)   Sociology

Question 14

Mrs. Williams reviews the math assignment and asks students to "debug" their wrong answers. She asks them to find the error, figure out why it is an error, and correct it. Mrs. Williams is engaging students in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)   Drill and practice
B)   Metacognitive strategies
C)   Applying mathematical concepts in contexts outside of mathematics
D)   Numerical operations

Question 15

While faculty members at Southwood Elementary fully endorse effective reading instruction methods, they sincerely believe that the parents of their children should and can be active participants in reading instruction. Therefore, strategies geared at parent literacy are principal components of the school improvement plan. Which approach to reading does this relate to?

Accepted Answer

A)   Phonics approach
B)   Whole-language approach
C)   Cognitive approach
D)   Social constructivist approach

Question 16

It is Reginald's first day at school, and he is on his way to algebra class. While he is nervous about the algebra class given his past math grades, he is distinctly more anxious about next year's foray in geometry. Without knowing anything else, what grade level is Reginald most likely to be in?

Accepted Answer

A)   Pre-kindergarten through grade 2
B)   Grades 3 through 5
C)   Grades 6 through 8
D)   Grades 9 through 12

Question 17

Outline an instructional approach that establishes a supportive context for writing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline an instructional approach that establishes a...

Question 18

Imagine you are using reciprocal teaching groups for an upcoming reading activity. Within the context of a specific example, outline the important strategies that should be present within the activity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine you are using reciprocal teaching groups...

Question 19

Describe the four types of strategies that the cognitive approach to writing emphasizes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the four types of strategies that...

Question 20

Ryan has just received his first teaching position. After a celebratory dinner with his wife, he sits down to plan his first lesson unit. As images of multiple activities, materials, and projects start to run rampant, he tries to focus on the content of the first lesson. As he glances at the topic, only vague principles come to mind, so he looks down his list of lesson units for the school year. He realizes in all his enthusiasm over diverse and effective teaching methods and materials, he has lost sight of the heart of the matter: the scientific content! Which of the following areas is Ryan questioning his abilities in?

Accepted Answer

A)   Reciprocal teaching
B)   Transactional instruction
C)   Expert knowledge
D)   Pedagogical content knowledge

Exam 11: Learning and Cognition in the Content Areas

Students have just arrived in class, and the teacher has written the week's reading assignment on the board. Students are to read one section of The Post each day and develop a personal reaction paper to world events. Which approach to reading does this relate to?

Which theme addresses cultural similarities and differences?

Which of the following assignments is the best example of "free-writing"?

Which of the following is true?

Outline possible benefits of the approach to math instruction that emphasizes connecting with parents.

Reading instruction that emphasizes paralleling children's natural learning of language and the use of meaningful reading material refers to which approach to reading?

If teachers want to effectively incorporate writing into the curriculum, they should focus on free- writing assignments and forgo more formal assignments, as students may get overwhelmed.

Which is not a theme for social studies instruction proposed by the National Council for the Social Sciences?

In order to provide a supportive context for writing, teachers should provide what type of goals?

Mr. Littleton is a new teacher at Southpoint Academy. If his teaching centers on civics and cultural diversity, and includes such disciplines as economics, geography, and psychology, which content area does he teach in?

Mrs. Williams reviews the math assignment and asks students to "debug" their wrong answers. She asks them to find the error, figure out why it is an error, and correct it. Mrs. Williams is engaging students in which of the following?

It is Reginald's first day at school, and he is on his way to algebra class. While he is nervous about the algebra class given his past math grades, he is distinctly more anxious about next year's foray in geometry. Without knowing anything else, what grade level is Reginald most likely to be in?

Outline an instructional approach that establishes a supportive context for writing.

Imagine you are using reciprocal teaching groups for an upcoming reading activity. Within the context of a specific example, outline the important strategies that should be present within the activity.

Describe the four types of strategies that the cognitive approach to writing emphasizes.