Question #1

Object permanence is a milestone of cognitive development that typically is fully functional in infants by what age?

You answered

Correct Answer: B

What is Object Permanence? Object Permanence is the understanding that whether something can be seen or sensed, it still continues to exist in the mind and in the world. Between the ages of 18-24 months most infants will have a fully functional sense of object permanence. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, studied object permanence in infants and determined it to be one of the most important accomplishments in infant development.

 

 

Question #2

Children need to experience the physical representation of numbers before they can understand the symbolic representation of number. This is according to the theory of

You answered

Best Response: D 

Jean Piaget

This question aligns with the idea that young children need lots of hands-on experiences manipulating actual objects in order to construct an understanding of number concepts. Once children build and internalize number sense, they can more readily shift to thinking about numbers in more abstract ways (number symbols, mental math, etc.) 

 

Question #3

Which of the following scenarios in a kindergarten class would best support Lev Vygotsky's social constructivist theory of learning?

You answered

Correct Response: D.

According to Lev Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory of learning, social learning precedes development. Vygotsky noted that “Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first, between people and then inside the child.” Additionally, he stated that often children will learn from a “More Knowledgeable Other”, as demonstrated in this scenario.  One child learns a new puzzle-solving strategy by observing another child use the strategy first.

Question #4

In the typical course of infant development, which of the following developmental milestones is generally the latest to appear?

You answered

Correct Response: C. 

Typical infant development follows a characteristic sequence of milestones as the infant brain and body mature. Of the milestones listed, smiling at familiar faces, turning the head to locate a sound, and making cooing sounds typically appear between 1-3 months of age, while the milestone of rolling over (either from stomach to back or back to stomach) is most often acquired between the ages of 4 and 7 months.

 

Question #5

Which behavior indicates a child has attained an understanding of symbolic representation?

You answered

Correct Answer: B

When children engage in pretend or “make-believe” play, as when they play “house” and pretend to be parents; pretend to be fantasy characters; or use toys to represent real persons, animals or machines, etc. they understand that one thing can be used as a symbol to stand for something else. This is what is called Symbolic Representation. 

The symbolic nature of play moves from less to more advanced. These images offer a great visual for how the hypothetical and imaginary worlds of children’s play can move along a continuum from more concrete symbolism (toy phone) to abstract symbolism (banana as a phone or completely improvised phone).  As children move from the concrete to the abstract, their thinking becomes more and more imaginative and creative.

Question #6

Four 3-year-old boys and girls are playing with dolls on the floor. Each child is holding and grooming one doll without interacting with a nearby neighbor. Which of the following categories of play does this scenario describe?

You answered

Correct Answer: C

The question requires applying knowledge of play modes for young children. It describes a state of parallel play, in which children are playing separately from others but with similar toys or in a manner that mimics their neighbor’s play.  

 

 

 

Question #7

Ms. Johnson’s class of kindergarteners are learning to use visual information as a way to convey their ideas. Which is an ideal literacy activity she might integrate into a science unit on bugs?

You answered

Correct Answer: D

Having children create a picture book of different bugs helps them understand how the visual representation of bugs in their book can convey information. It is also an ideal way to integrate science content and literacy goals. 

 

Question #8

A second-grade teacher can promote students' creativity most effectively by adopting which of the following approaches?

You answered

Correct Response: B

Creative thinkers apply their knowledge and experience in original ways to make discoveries and expand their understanding. By encouraging second graders to problem solve on their own and come up with unusual solutions to a variety of challenges presented to them, the teacher is helping them become independent thinkers who respond to new experiences with imagination.

Question #9

A prekindergarten teacher is teaching a unit on the five senses. The teacher is planning a lesson about texture. Which of the following initial strategies is likely to be most effective in helping children construct meaning with regard to this concept?

You answered

Correct Response: C

Prekindergarten children are concrete learners who require direct experience with concrete objects to construct knowledge effectively. The opportunity to explore a concept with real materials and verbalize observations helps extend the depth of children’s understanding and promotes development of a meaningful vocabulary with regard to the targeted concept.

Question #10

A preschool child brings two toy boats to school to show at circle time. The child explains that the boats really float and the teacher invites the child to demonstrate in the water center. Another child states, "They float because they're small." A third child responds, "Big things can float, too." Soon all of the children begin discussing their ideas about what will and will not float. The teacher can best help children gain a better understanding of the concept of flotation by taking which of the following actions?

You answered

Correct Response: C

Preschool-age children learn best through direct physical interaction with concrete materials. In the situation described, the teacher applies knowledge of the way children learn by providing them with objects to use to test their ideas. Having the opportunity to place various objects on the surface of the water and observe and discuss the results will build the children’s understanding of what types of objects float and what types sink.

Question #11

The family and teachers of nine-month old Luisa, who attends and infant and toddler center, have become concerned that Luisa may have developmental delays. As a result, Luisa will soon undergo a series of developmental screening assessments. The primary purpose of these assessments should be to:

You answered

Correct Response: D 

A Developmental Screening is a brief assessment that can be administered by early childhood teachers to help identify if a child is on track with their early childhood developmental milestones. Such screenings can help identify children who may be at risk for delays in cognitive, motor, communication, or social-emotional development. Such delays can affect a child’s learning, growth, and development, and may require further evaluation and intervention.

Question #12

Which of the following informal assessment tools would be most useful for documenting a preschool child's ability to perform specific skills?

You answered

Correct Response B. 

This question requires the examinee to recognize informal assessments and their applications in early childhood programs. Although more subjective than various other assessments, a rating scale is a quick, efficient way to gather information without disrupting learning. 

Using a rating scale over time would allow the teacher to monitor and document a child’s performance of specific skills and to provide timely intervention as necessary.

Assessment Focused Terms PDF

Question #13

A teacher is planning to conduct an informal assessment of a first grader's reading fluency. In the assessment, the teacher will ask the child to read aloud a passage from a grade-level text for one minute. Which of the following criteria would be appropriate for the teacher to apply in the context of this assessment?

You answered

Correct Response: D. 

Fluent readers employ prosody (e.g., pitch, stress, timing) to interpret and convey the meaning of the text they are reading. A child who reads an author’s words with appropriate phrasing and expression is demonstrating key indicators associated with reading fluency.

Question #14

A kindergarten teacher wants to obtain general information about a child's development in several areas of emergent literacy. Which of the following informal assessments would be most effective in providing information across several areas of emergent literacy?

You answered

Correct Response: C. 

Asking a kindergartner to write a title on a picture he or she has just drawn would provide the teacher with a variety of information. For example, this task would show whether the child understands that writing is different from drawing and that print is directional. It would demonstrate the child’s letter-formation skills. It would also be likely to provide information on the child’s understanding of letter-sound correspondence (e.g., if the child uses letters and words that correspond to the names of the objects in the drawing).

Question #15

A three year old and a four year old have been competing for opportunities to ride the swing. Both children are capable of seating themselves in the swing and pushing it. Which of the following responses from their preschool teacher will best serve to foster the children’s social problem solving skills?

You answered

Correct Response: B

Rather than taking the lead in identifying the issue causing the conflict and determining best way to resolve it, the teacher can reinforce problem solving strategies and communication skills by asking the children to describe the problem as they perceive it then encourage the children to come up with viable solutions that they can both agree upon. When children take an active role in finding solutions to such conflicts, they will be more motivated to accept and apply the new resolution. 

Question #16

A first-grade teacher establishes and teaches students specific routines for times such as morning arrival, weekly class meetings, and daily silent reading. This practice can be expected to support students' learning and development primarily by:

You answered

Correct Response: A

Classroom routines create predictability in the learning environment and help children understand expectations and boundaries. When children know what to expect and how to perform various tasks and responsibilities, they gain confidence and security and tend to be less distracted and anxious. Routines allow children to focus more of their attention on the important task of learning.

Question #17

Students in a second-grade class are studying transportation. During this unit, the teacher provides students with the checklist shown. Every day or two, the teacher reviews each child's checklist and guides the children in keeping their checklists up to date. This strategy is likely to be especially effective for helping the students:

You answered

Correct Response: B

One of an early childhood teacher’s key responsibilities is to promote young children’s growth as independent learners. By routinely providing children with opportunities to work with partners, make independent choices, and monitor their own activities, the teacher encourages children to assume responsibility for their own learning. Providing children with such opportunities on a regular basis promotes children’s development of independent habits of mind.

 

Question #18

Which of the following would be a second-grade teacher's best strategy for promoting all students' sense of competence and motivation to learn?

You answered

Correct Response: B 

This question requires the examinee to apply knowledge of supportive learning environments that promote students’ sense of competence and motivation to learn. Research has shown that children are motivated by high but realistic learning expectations. 

Differentiating instruction allows teachers to set learning expectations at the appropriate level for each student. Students who believe that they can achieve success through effort and persistence become self-confident, motivated learners.

Question #19

An early childhood teacher works in the infant room of a child care center. She sits on the floor to play with a nine-month-old who is interested in a bucket of plastic blocks that can be stacked together. Which of the following teacher actions would best engage the infant and encourage communication? 

You answered

Correct Response: C

At this age, infants may be able to speak a few words and most infants practice speaking by babbling nonsense words. Teachers and families play a critical role in developing language rich learning environments. Adding words or questions to what an infant is doing such as “you have the pink block” encourages communication and models language for the infant.

Question #20

With regard to typical oral language development, which of the following sentences would likely emerge last?

You answered

Correct Response: C

Young children’s oral language development follows a predictable sequence from less to more complex. The use of the grammatical morpheme ‘s to form a contraction of the words She and is represents a more sophisticated stage of oral language development than the constructed sentences in the other responses, which typically occur earlier.

Question #21

A first grade teacher creates weekly activities that allow students to interact with the classroom word wall, the message board, the daily calendar, posters, and each other. What purpose does the teacher have for creating such an interactive classroom?

You answered

Correct Response: C

This question is primarily about the print rich environment the teacher has created and the opportunities the children are given to use the text around them to further their literacy development. 

While it may be implied that the teacher also wants students to interact with each other, cooperative learning (option A) and student collaboration (option B) are not the primary purposes highlighted in the question scenario. The general idea of the role the classroom environment plays in supporting learning (option D) also does not go far enough to be the best answer.

 

Question #22

An English Language Learner (ELL) in the early production stage of second language acquisition joins a kindergarten class. The teacher can best ensure this student understands and is able to follow the teacher’s instruction by:

You answered

Correct Response: A 

There are many strategies teachers can use to support ELLs as they build both receptive and expressive English language skills in the classroom.  Using gestures and visual cues, as well as using simple words or words with shared cognates (words in two languages that share a similar meaning, spelling and pronunciation such as the Spanish word información and the English word information) 

Question #23

In a second-grade class, each student stands on a large sheet of 1-inch graph paper while a partner creates an outline of the student's foot by tracing around it. Students then count the number of squares inside each outline. This activity would best help students understand the mathematical concept of:

You answered

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts related to geometry. In geometry, the term area refers to a flat surface enclosed by lines. Outlining a student’s foot on graph paper enables students to explore the concept of area by counting the number of unit squares contained within the outline.


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Question #24

A prekindergarten teacher is planning a lesson with a teaching objective of categorizing geometric objects by type of shape. Which of the following actions must children be able to perform successfully before the teacher teaches this lesson?

You answered

Correct Answer: A

The recognition of geometric shape’s attributes (such as identifying the number of points and edges that make up a triangle) is necessary for the categorization aspect of this lesson. 

Question #25

The gasoline tank of a car holds 15 gallons when full. If there are 7 gallons of gasoline in the tank, how many gallons of gasoline are needed to fill the tank?

Which of the following is most appropriate to use to correctly answer the question shown? 

You answered

Correct Answer: B

The answer of 8 is found by subtracting 7 from 15.

* There will be questions on your test where you will be asked to identify which mathematical operation is being taught or reinforced based on the details of the scenario or activity in which the children are to engaged. 

Question #26

A teacher asks students to look at the graph shown and indicate which fruits are preferred by more than 5 students, fewer than 5 students, and exactly 5 students. Which of the following is most likely the goal of the activity?

You answered

Correct Answer: B 

Students will need to read the chart to find the quantities 8, 3, 5, 7, 2, and 10. If the students then order the numbers from least to greatest, getting    2 < 3 < 5 < 7 < 8 < 10, it will be easy for them to see how many fruits are preferred by fewer than 5 students, exactly 5 students, or more than 5 students. 

This question also relates to use of pictographs to help children gather and represent data. For young children, taking surveys of personal preferences or collecting data on personal items (such as types of shoes children are wearing) can be a meaningful and motivating way to engage them in mathematical thinking. 

Question #27

A preschool teacher wants to plan mathematics activities that will be responsive to children's varied experiences, characteristics, and needs. Which of the following strategies would best provide the teacher with information to support this goal?

You answered

Correct Response: D

In order to plan developmentally appropriate mathematics activities for a preschool-age child, a teacher needs to have a good idea of each child’s existing knowledge related to mathematical concepts (e.g., bigger and smaller, more than and less than, round and square, one-to-one correspondence). With a young child, the best way to make such a determination would be to observe and talk with the child as he or she interacts with various relevant materials

Question #28

A second-grade teacher is presenting a mathematics lesson involving addition and subtraction word problems. Although the teacher has explained the process using three sample word problems and students have the necessary computation skills, they are struggling to understand. Which of the following strategies would most effectively enhance students' understanding of how to solve the word problems?

You answered

Correct Response: B

The use of drawings, tallies, and other graphic representations during instruction helps students visualize concepts. Such representations help students identify and focus on relevant information and support comprehension for students with diverse learning needs (e.g., visual learners, students with disabilities, English language learners). 

Question #29

A kindergarten class is playing a game involving the exchange of pennies for dimes and dimes for dollars. A die is rolled and that number of pennies is given to the roller. When a student has enough pennies, they may be exchanged for a dime. This process continues until the student has collected enough dimes to exchange for a dollar bill. Carrying out this type of activity is likely to be most effective for helping the students develop an understanding of: 

You answered

Question #30

Which of the following animals is classified as a vertebrate?

You answered

Correct Answer: A 

This question requires the examinee to apply knowledge of basic concepts of the life sciences. A vertebrate is an animal that has a backbone. Of the animals listed, the only one with a backbone is the hummingbird.

Question #31

As a part of a science unit on living things, a kindergarten teacher has her students compare and contrast the characteristics of animals and plants. Which is the best type of graphic organizer for this purpose?

You answered

Correct Response: C

A Venn diagram is a kind of graphic organizer that uses overlapping circles to show relationships between two or more ideas, groups, or concepts.  The outer circles of a Venn diagrams are most often used to compare and contrast attribute  or data sets with the outer circles representing differences and the overlapping areas representing similarities.

Question #32

Which of the following is an example of a chemical change? 

You answered

Correct Answer: C

A chemical change occurs when a new substance is formed from one or more other substances. The other choices in this question represent examples of physical changes. 

Other examples where chemical changes occur include: baking a cake, burning wood, and the rusting of an iron nail.

Question #33

The sorting of rocks into different groups on the basis of hardness, texture, and other observable characteristics best illustrates which of the following skills? 

You answered

Correct Answer: C 

The activity describes classification, which requires students to arrange or organize items according to class or category. 

Question #34

Which of the following activities will be the most effective in introducing kindergartners to the concept of how plants transport water?

You answered

Correct Answer: B

The described activity concretely illustrates the pathway of plant water transportation up the celery stalk.  

Question #35

A second grade class is learning about simple machines such as wheels and axels, levers, and pulleys. When the children go out to the playground that day, the teacher asks them to find an example of an inclined plane. Which piece of playground equipment would best represent this simple machine?

You answered

Correct Response: C

A slide is an example of an inclined plane or ramp.

In the photo are examples of  2 simple machines found on a playground- a lever (the see saw) and an inclined plane (the slide).

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/simple-machines-printables-1832412

Question #36

A teacher has first-grade students roll a toy car down a ramp and and mark how far it rolls. To illustrate a basic principle of science that students can apply to their everyday life, the teacher has the children repeat the activity several times, increasing the angle of the ramp each time. The students observe that when they change the angle of the ramp the distance the car rolls also changes.

Changing the angle of the ramp as the activity is repeated will most likely help the children develop an appreciation for which of the following principles of science?

You answered

Correct Response: B

Cause and Effect is a type of relationship between events whereby a cause (an action) creates an effect (an outcome). Cause and effect is considered to be the backbone of the scientific method; it drives everything from our hypotheses to our conclusions in an experiment. The job of the scientific method is to tell us if a cause (or action) produces an observed effect.  

 

In this example, the teacher is setting up an opportunity for children to observe the effect or outcome on the distance the toy car travels down the ramp when the children cause a change in the angle of the ramp. 

Question #37

Referencing the same scenario for question #14,  which of the following would be the most effective way for the students to organize and present the data showing the relationship between the angle of the ramp and the distance the car rolls? 

You answered

Correct Response: D

A Line graph (also known as a line plot graph) is a graph where data points are connected by lines to show how something changes in value either as time goes by or as something else changes. 

Line graphs use an X axis (horizontal) and a Y-axis (vertical) to plot two corresponding data points. It can also be referred to as a Line Plot Graph.  For this question, one axis would describe the various levels of incline of the ramp and the other would show the distance the toy car traveled from the end of each ramp.

Click “Supplemental Info” for a graphic example for this scenario.

Question #38

Ethan, a new preschool student, does not talk or play with other children during center time. Which of the following strategies will best help him develop interpersonal relationships?

You answered

Correct Response: D

The strategy of partnering the student with a peer will help the child establish a friendship and identify himself as a member of a group.  

Question #39

Throughout the school year, a kindergarten teacher is planning to take students to various locations within the community such as the post office, the grocery store, and a bus station. As a follow-up to each trip, the teacher will ask the students to discuss how their families use these services and create a running list of their ideas. Which of the following social science concepts is the teacher seeking to promote with this activity?

You answered

Correct Answer: C

Interdependence is the social science concept of being dependent on each other for some of our needs.  Taking children on field trips to locations within the community allows them to be active learners in understanding this concept. The children begin to understand how people in the community rely on each other to provide certain services and goods. 

Question #40

An early childhood teacher of a culturally diverse group of three-year-olds has a goal of fostering children's knowledge and pride in their cultural identity. The teacher can begin to achieve this goal most effectively by:

You answered

Correct Answer: C

Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a group or groups that children first begin to develop through their relationships with family and community. Though the concept of ancestry and cultural heritage is too abstract for children at age three, children this age are already aware of the traditions and activities in which their families participate. Connecting cultural activities to ideas and experiences that are familiar to children builds on what they know to establish a foundation for eventually developing a broader understanding of who they are.   

Question #41

Which of the following activities will be most effective in introducing first graders to the concept of timelines?

You answered

Correct Answer: A

Reading a grade appropriate biography with a strong sequence of events then creating a human timeline depicting the events in chronological order.

 

Question #42

Which of the following responses to a toddler's temper tantrum will best support healthy emotional development? 

You answered

Correct Response: A

In this scenario, it is best to respond to a child experiencing intense emotional dysregulation with a calm demeanor while also expressing understanding and validation of the frustration they might be feeling.

Question #43

In terms of student safety, which of the following features of a school playground should a kindergarten teacher be most concerned about?

You answered

Correct Response: B

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of basic safety practices relevant to children. To minimize the potential for injury from a fall, the surface beneath playground climbing structures should consist of a material that will absorb an impact. Wood chips or rubberized materials have been proven effective for this purpose, while nonabsorptive surfaces, such as packed earth, statistically increase the chance of serious injury.

Question #44

Which of the following teacher strategies would best ensure the physical safety of the classroom for a group of toddlers?

You answered

Correct Response: D

Teachers’ arrangement of the classroom environment plays a key role in the children’s ability to move through the space safely, as well as in their ability to make safe and productive use of classroom materials. Wide-open spaces tend to encourage dangerous behaviors such as running through the classroom, and such spaces may additionally serve as sources of distraction that prevent children from interacting meaningfully, purposefully, and safely with the materials provided in the various learning centers.  

Question #45

During physical education class, students throw a ball against the wall and try to catch it as it bounces back. Which of the following components of skill-related fitness does this activity most closely address? 

You answered

Correct Answer: D

Agility, balance, power, speed, coordination, and reaction time are all components of skill-related fitness. The wall-ball activity most closely addresses students’ eye-hand coordination. 

Question #46

Which of the following types of movements would be most effective for helping four-year old children develop a sense of balance?

You answered

Correct Answer: D

Hopping on one foot is the best option for helping young children in this age range develop a sense of balance.

Question #47

A preschool teacher is teaching students about a color wheel which is an organization of hues around a circle.  Orange, Purple and Green are examples of which of the following kinds of colors on the color wheel? 

You answered

Correct Answer: C

Secondary colors are made by mixing two primary colors in equal measure.

COLOR TERMS

Primary Colors: Red, Yellow and Blue are considered the 3 Primary Colors

Secondary Colors: Made by mixing equal parts of primary colors. (Purple, Green, Orange)

Tertiary Colors: Made by mixing one primary color with half the saturation of a second primary color 

Complimentary Colors: Appear opposite each other on the color wheel

 

Image Source: https://www.color-meanings.com/primary-secondary-tertiary-colors/ 

Question #48

A three-year-old child who has just finished painting a picture asks her teacher to "Come look!" Which of the following responses by the teacher to the painting would best support the child's self-expression?

You answered

Correct Answer: B

When responding to young children’s artistic creations, teachers must take care not to impose their own judgments or interpretations of the works. Even making complimentary statements (e.g., “Oh, that’s beautiful!” or “I love your picture!”) can have the unintended effect of prompting young children to begin seeking adults’ praise for their works rather than to continue their unselfconscious explorations of color, texture, gesture, and media. Neutral observations such as “You used so many different colors in your picture. Can you tell me about it?” are generally considered appropriate because they make no judgment and keep the focus on the child’s work rather than on the adult’s reaction.

Question #49

A first-grade teacher is planning an art activity in which students will explore texture. Which of the following activities would best foster students' understanding of this visual art concept?

You answered

Correct Response: D

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of the elements and materials of the visual arts. Crayon rubbing is a process in which a sheet of paper is placed over a textured material (e.g., tree bark, a piece of screening). The surface of the paper is then rubbed with a crayon, and the resulting image captures the textural qualities of the material beneath.

Question #50

A kindergarten teacher spends 10-15 minutes each day reading fiction to her students. In which of the following ways could the teacher best use this reading activity to help students develop and appreciation for the dramatic arts?

You answered

Correct Answer: C

When a teacher reads with expression, uses different voices for the characters, and models inflection and emotion, students are more likely to become engaged with the content, to better understand the literacy concepts used in the text and come to appreciate the dramatic arts in everyday life.

Question #51

An second grade student is able to follow fast and slow songs by playing an appropriate rhythm pattern on the drum. Which of the following attributes of music does this student understand?

You answered

Correct Answer: C   

Tempo refers to the pace (how fast or slow) music is performed. See the handout called Exploring Musical Terms for more information on this topic area

Question #52

Which oral language activity would best promote phonological processing skills for a child who is an English Language Learner?

You answered

Correct Response: B

According to the researchers, children’s minds are trained to categorize phonemes in their first language, which may conflict with phonemes used in English. For example, Spanish-speaking children may speak, read, and write ch when sh should be used because in Spanish, these two combinations produce the same phoneme (International Reading Association, 2001). 

It is important for teachers to understand the linguistic characteristics of a student’s home language, including the phonemes that exist and do not exist in that language so that they can better support the child’s phonemic awareness development in English. 

Question #53

A teacher is planning to conduct an informal assessment of a first grader's reading fluency. In the assessment, the teacher will ask the child to read aloud a passage from a grade-level text for one minute. Which of the following criteria would be appropriate for the teacher to apply in the context of this assessment?

You answered

Correct Response: D. 

Fluent readers employ prosody (e.g., pitch, stress, timing) to interpret and convey the meaning of the text they are reading. A child who reads an author’s words with appropriate phrasing and expression is demonstrating key indicators associated with reading fluency.

Question #54

A kindergarten teacher conducts a literacy activity with a small group of students. The teacher gives each student a piece of paper with three connected boxes drawn on it. Each box represents a phoneme in a three-letter word. The teacher says a word slowly, pronouncing each phoneme distinctly. As the students hear each phoneme, they move a marker into the corresponding box. This activity provides the students with practice in:

You answered

Correct Response: B

Sound segmentation activities require students to isolate each constituent sound in a word. Moving each marker into its own box to represent each sound encourages the students to associate one marker with one sound, thus laying a conceptual foundation for students’ later association of individual letters with their sounds.

This scenario refers to the use of a teaching tool called Elkonin Sound Boxes. They support young or struggling readers to develop phonemic awareness skills by helping them to better hear and manipulate the smallest units of sound in words.

Question #55

Phonological Awareness refers to the progressive range of skills that allow us to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language. Which of the following skills represents the most complex level of phonological awareness?

You answered

Correct Response: C

Segmenting individual sounds in words

Children’s phonological awareness skills follow a continuum of complexity. The most advanced level of phonological awareness is phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is the understanding that words are made up of individual sounds, or phonemes, and the ability to manipulate those phonemes either by segmenting, blending, or changing individual phonemes within words to create new words.

Question #56

A kindergarten teacher sets up a literacy center with an activity that asks students to match pictures of objects with pictures of letters to correctly indicate the beginning sound. Which of the following is the teacher trying to develop in students through this center?

You answered

Correct Answer: D  

Phonemic Awareness skills are necessary for matching words or pictures with beginning sounds. 

Option A (phonics) is incorrect because it involves understanding how letters combined to make sounds and words. Students are ready for phonics instruction after they have acquired a strong foundation of phonemic awareness. 

Option B (Vocabulary), involves building children’s receptive and expressive vocabulary or word knowledge, which is not the goal of this activity. 

Option C (letter recognition) is incorrect because this activity is not focused primarily on children identifying letters.

Question #57

A second-grade teacher is teaching a vocabulary lesson that focuses on the similarities, differences, and uses of the words to, two and too.  This lesson is helping children learn about:

You answered

Correct Answer: B

Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently, such as to, two, and too.

Question #58

If a student wants to get an overview of an informational text, see the relationships among the various topics, and have an indication if the text is in chronological order or by topic, where should the student look in the text to find this information?

You answered

Correct Response: C

This question reminds us to be familiar with the ways children use and teachers teach the various text features of non-fiction/informational books.

Text features are elements included in books that exist independently from the book’s main text. they are intended to enhance readers’ experiences with the text. Some examples of text features include table of contents, the index, and the glossary of terms. Students learn how to access various information in books more quickly and efficiently through the use of text features. 

Question #59

Children in a first-grade class are listening to a story read aloud by the teacher.  The teacher reads:  

Jamie shoved his feet into his big black boots and then grabbed his warmest coat and his favorite red mittens. He would need them on a day like today.

The teacher then pauses to ask the children, “What kind of day do you think it was?”

What comprehension strategy is the teacher using during her reading.  

You answered

Correct Answer: B

Inferential questions require students to use their background knowledge and the clues within the story to answer questions beyond what is explicitly stated in the text. 

Generally speaking, there are 3 types of Comprehension: Literal (understanding what is explicitly written or described in the text), Inferential (reading between the lines; understanding implied meaning based on the facts or details in a text), and Evaluative (the ability to analyze text or to explore the author’s intent, opinion or style)

Question #60

A kindergarten teacher wants to obtain general information about a child's development in several areas of emergent literacy. Which of the following informal assessments would be most effective in providing information across several areas of emergent literacy?

You answered

Correct Response: C. 

Asking a kindergartner to write a title on a picture he or she has just drawn would provide the teacher with a variety of information. For example, this task would show whether the child understands that writing is different from drawing and that print is directional. It would demonstrate the child’s letter-formation skills. It would also be likely to provide information on the child’s understanding of letter-sound correspondence (e.g., if the child uses letters and words that correspond to the names of the objects in the drawing).

Question #61

As part of the regular daily schedule, a second-grade teacher reads a story aloud and discusses it with the class. Several students are English language learners, and the teacher wants to use the discussions to promote and extend these students' oral language skills. Which of the following would be the teacher's best strategy for achieving this goal?

You answered

Correct Response: A

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for fostering English language learners’ ability to speak for various purposes. If English language learners are unfamiliar with key words and concepts in a story, they will be unable to participate fully in a discussion about it. Conducting a prereading activity to explain the story’s vocabulary and link the content to the children’s existing knowledge will facilitate comprehension and, thus, active oral participation.

Question #62

In a class of three year olds, which of the following would be the teacher's best strategy for fostering the development of the fine-motor skills prerequisite for writing?

You answered

Correct Answer: B

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of factors that influence children’s development of writing skills. The development of the fine-motor skills required for writing starts in babyhood, when children use a pincer grasp to pick up objects of interest. Preschool teachers can build on these skills by providing appealing activities with manipulative materials that support the further development of fine-motor strength and control.

 

Question #63

Which word below has a CVC pattern? 

You answered

Correct Answer: B

Spelling instruction in the early years includes the teaching of spelling patterns such as the CVC (consonant/vowel/consonant) pattern used to form words with short vowel sounds such as pop or tag, while the CVCe and CVVC patterns most often form words with long vowel sounds such as cake or read.

Question #64

Four-year-old Kima draws a picture of a girl. She then writes the letter K all around the edges of the paper, remarking, "This is my name. It says Kima." This behavior suggests that Kima has attained some understanding of:

You answered

Correct Response: A

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of concepts about print. Kima’s behaviors indicate that she makes a distinction between letters and pictures and that she recognizes that letters are used to represent spoken language.

Question #65

A second-grade student with a speech and language impairment (SLI) attends a general education class and receives pull out services from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) twice a week. The general education teacher schedules a regular weekly meeting with the SLP. The primary purpose of these weekly meetings should be to:

You answered

Question #66

A first-grade student with a disability is frequently pulled out from her general education classroom to receive services in the resource room. The first-grade teacher feels that the student is missing not only important instruction, but also opportunities to develop ties with her classmates. Which of the following would be the first-grade teacher's best initial response?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for building collaborative partnerships with colleagues. A direct meeting would provide the best opportunity for the teachers to share their perspectives, explore potential solutions, and forge a common understanding of how to meet the student’s needs across domains.

Question #67

The local fire department has offered to come to a preschool to make a presentation for families about safety in homes with young children. Which of the following pre-presentation strategies would best help ensure that the presentation will be meaningful for all attendees?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to apply skills and strategies for establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with families and for involving families in their children’s development and learning. Special learning experiences within the classroom present a unique opportunity to help families feel included in their child’s learning. It is important for teachers to ask families for input about what they would like their children to learn from special presentations so that each event’s usefulness is maximized. This outreach to families helps develop mutual respect and increased communication between teachers and families.

Question #68

A kindergarten teacher would like to inform the parents/guardians of children in the class about upcoming instructional units, field trips and classroom events, and volunteer and visiting opportunities. Which of the following modes of communication would be most effective for accomplishing this goal?

You answered

Keeping families informed about upcoming classroom events or field trips is an important part of home-school communication. Providing a monthly calendar or newsletter for each child to take home allows families to keep track of what is presently happening or soon to happen in the classroom and can be referred to throughout the month as needed.  Sending this information home each month via backpack is an accessible means of communication for most families.

Question #69

The best strategy for identifying family concerns and priorities relating to an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is to

You answered

The IFSP is a family-focused plan that recognizes the family as a child’s greatest resource and primary decision maker.  

TIP:  Use this link to learn more about Early Intervention Individualized Family Service Plans from the Illinois Dept. of Human Services : https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=96966

Question #70

Which of the following steps should a program evaluation team take first as it begins the process of conducting a comprehensive evaluation of an early childhood program?

You answered

Program evaluations are essential to ensure that early childhood programs are providing the best quality services to children and their families. When conducting a comprehensive evaluation of an early childhood program, the team should begin by reviewing the program’s current philosophy, goals, and objectives.

This step must be done first to make sure that the program’s current content and services are aligned with then stated mission and vision of the program. This review will also help the program evaluation team determine if the current philosophy, goals, and objectives are still working for the program or if they need to be revised to meet current needs.

Question #71

A young child with developmental delays has an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The child will soon turn three, at which point he will enter a general education preschool program. Which of the following is a key responsibility of the general education preschool teacher in this situation?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to recognize the responsibilities of early childhood educators. 

Transitions are especially sensitive moments for young children. The general education preschool teacher can facilitate a smooth transition by collaborating with the family and service providers in multiple ways (e.g., by learning about the child’s routines, communication modes, and favorite toys and foods; becoming familiar with the services the child has been receiving; arranging to meet the child beforehand).

TIP: Check out this resource for a comparison of the key components of and IFSP versus an IEP: IFSP vs IEP Comparison

Question #72

In which of the following scenarios is an early childhood teacher acting primarily in his or her role as an advocate for children and families in the program?

You answered

To advocate for children, a teacher works with other educational professionals and/or representatives of community organizations to accomplish goals that are aimed at improving children’s educational experiences and their lives in general. By collaborating with an agency in the community to organize special health and wellness events, the teacher is advocating for children and their families to create a series of events that will likely have a long-term positive effect on the health of the children and their families. In this situation, the teacher seeks out the resources necessary to provide an experience for children and families that they would not have had otherwise.

Question #73

Which two groups of children are served by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? 

You answered

According to the U.S. Department of Education website and overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. 

Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

For more information on IDEA please go to: 

 https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

 

Question #74

During the first few weeks of school, a prekindergarten teacher wonders whether a child in the class may have developmental delays. Which of the following actions by the teacher in response to this concern would require permission from the child’s parents beforehand?

You answered

Parent permission is necessary in order for a school psychologist or counselor to collect or conduct a diagnostic observation or assessment. 

Question #75

Jamie, a child with Down syndrome, will soon join a general education kindergarten class. When doing educational planning for this child, the kindergarten teacher should be aware that the typical developmental profile for children with Down syndrome includes relative strength in which of the following areas?

You answered

Correct Response: A. 

The typical learning profile of children with Down syndrome includes strength in visual processing and visual memory skills. Jamie’s general education teacher should work closely with the special education teacher to determine whether this is the case with Jamie and, depending on Jamie’s specific learning profile, to develop instructional strategies that build on the learning strengths Jamie brings to the classroom.