Abraham Maslow
theorist known for developing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Autonomy
student’s ability to self-govern or self-motivate
Student Engagement
the level of attention and interest students demonstrate while learning
Read the information below and answer the questions that follow:
Ms. Johnson will be starting her first year as a 6th-grade teacher at Plainfield Middle School this fall. In preparation for the upcoming year, she reads through the school’s mission statement and finds the following: “Plainfield Middle School believes it is important for children to be involved and enthusiastic participants in their education. Thus, we encourage students to exercise curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in an active, collaborative learning environment. Our teachers demonstrate expertise in their fields and a passion for lifelong learning.”
Ms. Johnson has been given her own classroom and wants to ensure that the classroom setup promotes active, collaborative learning, as described in the school mission statement. Which of the following classroom setups would be most appropriate?
a wall-facing desks (computer room style)
b rows and columns
c tables that form small groups
d stadium-style seating
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A classroom setup with tables forming small groups maximizes students’ opportunities for interaction and discussion. It is ideal for active, collaborative learning.
Mr. Ramirez has overheard several students complain about the current instructional activity. One student said to another, “I am just bored with stuff. I don’t understand why it’s important and I don’t care to know.” Mr. Ramirez admits to himself that he has the same feelings toward the material and decides to get through the instructional unit as quickly as possible. Of the following, what is the most likely cause of the students’ lack of interest in the material?
a Mr. Ramirez has not presented the material in a coherent manner and students have become confused about the purpose and expectation of the instructional activities.
b Mr. Ramirez has not adequately planned the instructional unit and the activities do not relate to the instructional goals or past instructional units.
c Mr. Ramirez has not been able to relate the instructional material to the students’ past experiences and the students are having trouble understanding the instructional activities.
d Mr. Ramirez does not exhibit an excitement and enthusiasm for the material and his students have adopted his attitude towards the instructional activities.
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Communicating enthusiasm about the material is important in teaching. If the teacher is not excited about the subject matter, it is very unlikely that the students will be excited. Mr. Ramirez has communicated to his students, through his apathy, that the material is not important and is not worth learning.
Which of the following scenarios would fall under Maslow’s level of belonging and love needs?
a a teenager working a part-time job to pay for his own gas and phone bill
b a teenager establishing his first relationship with a girlfriend
c a teenager eating his favorite meal
d a teenager passing a difficult exam he studied extensively for
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A romantic relationship falls under Maslow’s belonging and love needs.
Mr. Shaf is known as a great technical building teacher at Pawnee High School. He has decades of experience, and his knowledge surpasses any other instructors in the district. He is known as a difficult teacher and students claim that he does not like for students to ask questions. A new assistant principal (AP) reviews one of his classes and states that he needs to improve his listening skills with students and should evaluate the way he responds to questions. This critique most likely means:
a the new AP is trying to help Mr. Shaf improve the climate of the classroom to allow students to feel emotionally safe enough to ask questions and improve their access to learning.
b the new AP is trying to make Mr. Shaf understand that he is not the person in charge and should fear the new reviewer.
c the new AP thinks he can teach the classes better than Mr. Shaf.
d the new AP does not think Mr. Shaf should be a teacher anymore because he is old and unable to change.
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
It is important for students to feel safe both physically and emotionally in order for them to be able to learn new concepts.
A first-grade teacher would like to encourage positive character traits, such as respect, honesty, and empathy, in their students. Which of the following strategies would be an effective indirect instructional strategy to use given this objective?
a making a conscious effort to model and exhibit these character traits on a regular basis
b rewarding students who exhibit the desired character traits
c selecting a weekly character trait to focus on by reading a book and completing relevant activities
d leading a class discussion about the desired character traits
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Modeling appropriate behavior is one of the most effective ways that teachers can promote desired behaviors in their students. This would be an indirect instructional approach because the teacher is showing students how to behave without directly instructing them in the traits or how to exhibit them in the classroom.
A second-grade teacher is trying to build positive relationships with each of her students during the first week of school. Which of the following is the most effective way to do this?
a Decorate her classroom with warm and inviting tones and natural lighting.
b Share with students some of her personal interests and information about her family.
c Briefly speak one-on-one with each student during the first two days of school, discussing their interests.
d Refrain from using too many consequences during the first week of school.
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This will help the teacher establish and build positive relationships with each student.
Wilmer Middle School has invited more parent volunteers to help the classroom teachers. By increasing the number of parent volunteers present in the school’s classrooms, the school is most likely to achieve which of the following?
a create a greater awareness in the school community to help achieve important student goals
b enhance the interest of students and increase their willingness to collaborate
c increase classroom management and the students’ abilities to work productively in groups
d reduce the workload of the teachers and allow a more efficient use of class time
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
By increasing the number of parents exposed to school activities, it is likely to promote parent participation in school activities and create a greater awareness in the community at large.
Eighth-grade students are about to engage in a peer-assessment activity prior to completion of a summative project. Which of the following would be the best tool for the teacher to use to help ensure positive student interactions during this activity?
a reminding students prior to the start of the activity to be kind to each other
b encouraging students to only provide positive feedback
c providing sentence frames for constructive feedback
d carefully monitoring student interactions and intervening when necessary
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Providing students with ideas for how to word their feedback can be a very helpful tool for students at any age. A list of sentence frames might include “I noticed that you ___. I wonder if you could add ___.” or “Your ____ really drew me in. Could you add more detail to _____.” This type of tool helps students understand how to put their ideas into words in constructive ways and helps them avoid general feedback that may be less helpful, such as “I thought it was really good!”
Mr. Jolly wants to create a positive climate for his classroom. Which of the following actions would best promote a positive classroom climate?
a
applying the same academic goals for all of his students
b
greeting each student as they enter the classroom
c
creating lessons that are easy for his students to complete
d
allowing his students to choose the instructional activity for the day
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This is the best answer option, as it allows Mr. Jolly to make one-on-one contact with his students.
Which of the following is a factor in students from diverse cultural backgrounds’ education that is not influenced by a teacher’s own cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes?
a standards and curriculum
b interactions with parents
c classroom management style
d teaching style
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Learning standards and curriculum for each grade level are typically mandated by the state and school district. These factors of education are not affected by a teacher’s cultural beliefs.
Mr. House is a first-grade teacher and wants to convey high expectations to a student who has significant academic needs. Which of the following approaches would be the best way to achieve this?
a give the student non-accommodated assignments and grade the assignments according to the academic level of the child
b allow the student to work in a homogeneous group, let the group know of the high expectations, and later follow up the met expectations with praise and rewards
c sit down with the student and work to help set challenging learning goals; then, follow up and provide assistance to the child to help in achieving the goals
d provide the student with praise and rewards, regardless of performance
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
The student must be aware of high expectations, but the teacher must provide ongoing assistance to help the student achieve the goals.
A teacher would like to increase student participation during a review activity. Which of the following strategies would best accomplish this?
a Using a timer that rings five seconds after the teacher poses a question, and allowing students to call out answers once the timer rings.
b Informing students that they will answer questions in alphabetical order according to last names and allowing as much wait time as needed.
c Offering bonus points to anyone who raises their hands to respond.
d Calling on students at random after providing ample wait time, and allowing peers to expand upon answers.
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This would be the most effective strategy since students will have time to formulate answers, and peers can still volunteer if they have ideas to expand upon a response.
Which of the following questions would best support a culture of high expectations?
a Is this your best work?
b What do you think you could improve next time?
c Do you think your parents would be happy with this work?
d What was your favorite part of this assignment?
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This question is supportive but asks students to consider elements of their work that they could improve. This promotes reflection and is an open-ended question that helps students set their own goals for growth.
A middle school has three feeder elementary schools. To ensure that all students feel connected on their first day of school, the science teacher plans small group activities in her classroom. What is the best method to seat students?
a seat students in alphabetical rows and assign groups for the activities by row
b seat students in groups of three that include a student from each school
c seat students in groups of three with all three from the same school
d allow students to choose their seats and pick their groups
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This heterogeneous seating arrangement would encourage students to get to know students from other campuses.
A student has an IEP for ADHD and the accommodation list includes “preferential seating to avoid distractions.” Which of the following classroom placements would likely be best for this student?
a toward the side of the room
b toward the front of the room
c near the door
d sitting alone rather than in a pod with other students
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Seating a student toward the front of the room may help them focus during direct instruction and may allow the teacher to help redirect their behavior during independent work time via proximity. This is likely the best choice for this student given their needs.
Ms. Craig is a preschool teacher who is getting a new student with mild hearing loss. Which of the following steps would be the most effective way to ensure this student’s needs are met?
a Seat the student near the teacher during lessons or read-alouds.
b Ensure that a sign language interpreter is brought in to support the student.
c Supply the student with a hearing aid.
d Ask the student to repeat instructions back to ensure that they heard correctly.
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This would likely be an adequate accommodation to provide for a child with mild hearing loss.
Ms. Simpson is doing a lesson on peer editing and wants to set the room up in a manner to best facilitate the activity. Which of the following should be her focus?
a Place desks in a circle formation so students are able to see and speak to one another.
b Face all desk in the same direction, so students are able to see the board for instructions.
c Put desks in small groups so students can pass papers and have discussions on their work.
d Push desks against the walls so students are able to walk around the room and communicate with their peers.
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Student desks need to be in small groups in order to work on peer reviewing.
At the start of every school year, Mr. Brown writes his students a letter telling them about himself, and he asks them to write him back as their first assignment. The main purpose of this activity is:
a to model good writing strategies.
b to learn about student problem areas.
c to demonstrate the classroom expectations.
d to develop a trusting relationship with students.
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
It’s important for a teacher to open up to students in order for students to feel comfortable opening up in response. By telling students personal details about his life, he is being vulnerable and inviting students to do the same, thus building a trusting relationship.
Which of the following strategies best supports a teacher’s goal to promote positivity in the classroom?
a encouraging students to self-assess themselves with progress journals
b allowing students to choose partners to work with
c introducing detailed learning objectives at the start of each class
d contacting each parent with a message about their child’s strengths
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Contacting each parent with a message about their child is a way to promote positivity, as children will feel proud after parents tell them about the message that was received from their teacher.
An elementary teacher wants to encourage more active participation from all students during lessons. Which of the following steps should the teacher take in order to achieve this goal?
a
Implement consequences for students who do not volunteer to answer questions.
b
Use a checklist to ensure that all students answer a question during each lesson.
c
Encourage participation by rewarding students who answer questions.
d
Respond to all students’ answers and contributions in a positive and constructive manner.
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Responding to students’ answers in this way will help establish an environment where students feel safe taking risks. This will encourage students to answer more questions and participate in discussions.
Read the information below and answer the questions that follow:
Ms. Johnson will be starting her first year as a 6th-grade teacher at Plainfield Middle School this fall. In preparation for the upcoming year, she reads through the school’s mission statement and finds the following: “Plainfield Middle School believes it is important for children to be involved and enthusiastic participants in their education. Thus, we encourage students to exercise curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in an active, collaborative learning environment. Our teachers demonstrate expertise in their fields and a passion for lifelong learning.”
In which of the following ways could Ms. Johnson demonstrate her passion for lifelong learning?
a
teaching students self-assessment skills by having them occasionally self-assess and grade their work
b
encouraging self-expression and allowing students to select their own topics when possible
c
showing students her former school projects as an example of the work that is expected of them
d
sharing recommendations of books she has recently read on the classroom bulletin board, alongside student recommendations
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
By sharing her own personal recommendations, Ms. Johnson is showing her enthusiasm for reading and demonstrating to the students that she is an active reader.
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Lesson Planning66
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Student Diversity40
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Monitoring Performance68
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Human Development45
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Technology59
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Active Engagement104
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Legal and Ethical Requirements43
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Classroom Environment30
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Learning Processes46
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Classroom Management48
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Family Involvement36
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Professional Development42
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Practice Test Questions89
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Bloom’s Taxonomy10
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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs10
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Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development6
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ELL Proficiency30
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Passage Prep68
