TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12 (160)

A preschool teacher wants children to learn the difference between heavy and light. Which activity fits their development best?

1. ATracing the words heavy and light on a worksheet
2. BListening to the teacher explain what weight means
3. CWatching a cartoon about a scale at the market
4. DSorting objects by how heavy each one feelsCorrect

Why: Young children rely on "motor and sensory input and direct experience," so handling objects teaches the concept directly. The cartoon is tempting because it is visual, but it is secondhand experience. A Piagetian paper adds that such manipulation "is essential" for real comprehension.PPR framework, Competency 004

What happened when teachers were trained to wait three to five seconds after asking questions?

1. AWeaker students answered moreCorrect
2. BStudent answers became shorter
3. CFewer students answered at all
4. DStudents asked fewer questions

Why: Research found that after such training "The number of responses from students identified by the teacher as less able increased," and responses grew longer. Fewer answers is tempting if a pause seems awkward, but the opposite occurred.ERIC ED285497 (classroom questioning)