CliffsTestPrep^® Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching

by Diane E. Kern

• ISBN13: 9780471752127
• ISBN10: 0471752126
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-01
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes

Summary

Your guide to a higher score on the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching Tests Why CliffsTestPrep Guides? Go with the name you know and trust Get the information you need-fast! Written by test prep specialistsAbout the contents:Introduction Suggestions for using this guide, along with answers to frequently asked questions about the test Part I: Diagnostic Preview Tests Sample tests with answers and explanations for each of the 4 PLT tests: Early Childhood, Grades K-6, Grades 5-9, and Grades 7-12 Part II: Preparing for the Format of the PLT Strategies and tips for answering constructed-response questions and multiple-choice questions Part III: Preparing for the Content of the PLT Students as learners Instruction and assessment strategies Communication techniques Teacher professionalism Part IV: 8 Full-Length Practice Tests with Answers and Explanations 2 full-length practice tests for each of the 4 PLT tests Test Prep Essentials from the Experts at CliffsNotes

Author Biography

Diane E. Kern, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Rhode Island and a member of the School of Education's committee on licensure tests.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Getting Started	1	(1)
Format of the Test	1	(1)
Content of the Test	2	(1)
Frequently Asked Questions	2	(1)
Suggestions for Using This Study Guide	3	(4)
Part I: Diagnostic Preview Tests	3	(1)
Part II: Preparing for the Format of the PLT	3	(1)
Part III: Preparing for the Content of the PLT	3	(1)
Part IV: Full-Length Practice Tests	4	(1)
Part V: Closing Thoughts	4	(3)
PART I: DIAGNOSTIC PREVIEW TESTS
Early Childhood Preview Test	7	(14)
Case I	9	(2)
Scenario: Daniel	9	(1)
Observation: Miss Whitcomb's Class	9	(1)
Mentor Classroom Observation Focused on Daniel	9	(2)
Case II	11	(3)
Scenario: Miss Elliott	11	(1)
Document 1: Professional Goals	11	(1)
Document 2: Unit Goals	11	(1)
Document 3: Project Assignment: Family Book Bags	11	(1)
Document 4: Project Assessment	12	(1)
Document 5: Transcript of Susie Sharing Her Book Bag	12	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	14	(3)
Answers and Explanations	17	(4)
Case I	17	(1)
Case II	17	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	18	(1)
Explanations	18	(3)
Grades K-6 Preview Test	21	(14)
Case I	23	(3)
Scenario: Miss Webb	23	(1)
Document 1: Long-Term Goals	23	(1)
Document 2: Short-Term Goals	23	(1)
Document 3: Lesson Plan	23	(1)
Objective	23	(1)
Resources	23	(1)
Motivation	24	(1)
Procedures	24	(1)
Preview	24	(1)
Teach	24	(1)
Assessment	24	(1)
Independent Work	24	(2)
Case II	26	(2)
Scenario: Stafford	26	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	28	(3)
Answers and Explanations	31	(4)
Case I	31	(1)
Case II	31	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	32	(1)
Explanations	32	(3)
Grades 5-9 Preview Test	35	(14)
Case I	37	(3)
Scenario: Mr. Enright and Mr. Toll	37	(1)
Document 1: Mr. Enright's Civil War Lesson Plan	37	(1)
Document 2: Mr. Toll's Civil War Lesson Plan	38	(2)
Case II	40	(2)
Scenario: Mrs. Pendola	40	(1)
That Was Then, This is Now	40	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	42	(3)
Answers and Explanations	45	(4)
Case I	45	(1)
Case II	45	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	46	(1)
Explanations	46	(3)
Grades 7-12 Preview Test	49	(14)
Case I	51	(2)
Scenario: Jason	51	(2)
Case II	53	(2)
Scenario: Ms. Brousseau	53	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	55	(3)
Answers and Explanations	58	(5)
Case I	58	(1)
Case II	58	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	59	(1)
Explanations	59	(4)
PART II: PREPARING FOR THE FORMAT OF THE PLT
Constructed-Response Questions	63	(10)
How to Approach the Constructed-Response Questions	64	(1)
Scenario: Jason	64	(1)
Sample Constructed-Response Question	64	(1)
CliffsTestPrep Strategies for the Constructed-Response Questions	64	(2)
How to Read a Case History	66	(2)
Teacher-Based PLT Cases	66	(1)
Student-Based PLT Cases	66	(1)
Two Different Formats	66	(1)
Document-Based	66	(1)
Narrative-Based	67	(1)
Suggested Strategies for Reading Case Histories	67	(1)
Scoring Guide	68	(2)
Criteria for Scoring	68	(1)
How Is an ``Appropriate Response'' Determined?	68	(1)
How to Use the Scoring Criteria to Assess Your Own Responses	69	(1)
Apply the CliffsTestPrep Strategies	70	(3)
Case I	70	(1)
Scenario: Justin	70	(2)
Answers and Explanations	72	(1)
Multiple-Choice Questions	73	(12)
How to Approach the Multiple-Choice Questions	74	(2)
Complete the Statement	74	(1)
Which of the Following	74	(1)
Roman Numeral	74	(1)
Least/Not/Except	75	(1)
Graphs/Tables/Reading Passages	75	(1)
CliffsTestPrep Strategies for the Multiple-Choice Questions	76	(1)
Apply the CliffsTestPrep Strategies	77	(3)
Sample Multiple-Choice Questions	77	(3)
Answers and Explanations	80	(2)
Final Tips for Answering the Multiple-Choice Questions	82	(3)
PART III: PREPARING FOR THE CONTENT OF THE PLT
Students as Learners	85	(16)
Student Development and the Learning Process	86	(5)
Theorists and Theories to Know	86	(1)
Bandura, Albert	86	(1)
Bruner, Jerome	86	(1)
Dewey, John	86	(1)
Erikson, Erik	86	(1)
Gilligan, Carol	87	(1)
Kohlberg, Lawrence	87	(1)
Maslow, Abraham	88	(1)
Montessori, Maria	88	(1)
Piaget, Jean	88	(1)
Skinner, B. F	89	(1)
Vygotsky, Lev	89	(1)
Terms to Know	89	(1)
Constructivism	89	(1)
Discovery Learning	89	(1)
Extrinsic Motivation	89	(1)
Intrinsic Motivation	90	(1)
Learned Helplessness	90	(1)
Metacognition	90	(1)
Readiness to Learn	90	(1)
Scaffolding	90	(1)
Schema	90	(1)
Transfer	90	(1)
Zone of Proximal Development	90	(1)
Students as Diverse Learners	91	(6)
Theorists and Theories to Know	91	(1)
Gardner, Howard	91	(1)
Hidalgo, Nitza	91	(1)
Moll, Luis	91	(1)
Student Learning	92	(1)
ADD	92	(1)
ADHD	92	(1)
Auditory (or Aural) Learner	92	(1)
Autism Spectrum Disorders	92	(1)
Behavior Disorder (BD)	92	(1)
Concrete Operational Thinkers	92	(1)
Developmental Delays	92	(1)
ELL or ESL or PLNE	92	(1)
Formal Operational Thinkers	93	(1)
Functional Mental Retardation (MR)	93	(1)
Kinesthetic Learner	93	(1)
LD	93	(1)
Tactile Learner	93	(1)
Visual Learner	93	(1)
Legislation to Know	94	(1)
ADA	94	(1)
Due Process	94	(1)
IDEA	94	(1)
IEP	94	(1)
LRE	94	(1)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act	94	(1)
Accomodations	94	(1)
Alternative Assessments	94	(1)
Differentiated Instruction	94	(1)
Testing Accommodations	95	(1)
Influences on Diverse Learners	95	(1)
Age-Appropriate Knowledge and Behavior	95	(1)
Cognitive Patterns	95	(1)
Family Culture	95	(1)
Linguistic Patterns	95	(1)
Multicultural	95	(1)
Physical Issues	96	(1)
Social and Emotional Issues	96	(1)
Students and School Culture	96	(1)
Student Motivation and the Learning Environment	97	(4)
Theorists and Theories to Know	97	(1)
Ausubel, David	97	(1)
Bandura, Albert	97	(1)
Canter, Lee	97	(1)
Glasser, William	97	(1)
Kounin, Jacob	97	(1)
Hunter, Madeline	98	(1)
Pavlov, Ivan	98	(1)
Lesson Planning	98	(1)
Principles of Effective Classroom Management	99	(1)
Specific Classroom Management Techniques	100	(1)
Instruction and Assessment	101	(18)
The ``Essential Nine'' Instructional Strategies	102	(3)
Identifying Similarities and Differences	102	(1)
Summarizing and Note-Taking	102	(1)
Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition	102	(1)
Assigning Homework and Practice	102	(1)
Fostering Nonlinguistic Representations	103	(1)
Encouraging Cooperative Learning	103	(1)
Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback	103	(1)
Generating and Testing Hypotheses	104	(1)
Using Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers	104	(1)
Additional Instructional Strategies	105	(6)
Anchored Instruction	105	(1)
Differentiated Instruction	105	(1)
Direct Instruction	105	(1)
Demonstrations	105	(1)
Graphic Organizers	106	(1)
Story Maps	106	(1)
Cause-and-Effect Maps	106	(1)
Sequence Diagrams	107	(1)
Continuums	107	(1)
Cycle Maps	107	(1)
Matrixes	108	(1)
Hunter's Model	108	(1)
Mastery Learning	108	(1)
Mnemonics	108	(1)
Discussion	108	(1)
Field Trips	108	(1)
Independent Study	108	(1)
Interdisciplinary Instruction	109	(1)
Learning Centers	109	(1)
Primary Sources/Documents	109	(1)
Questioning	109	(1)
Reciprocal Teaching	109	(1)
School-to-Work	110	(1)
Service Learning	110	(1)
Critical Thinking	110	(1)
Discovery Learning	110	(1)
Inquiry Model	110	(1)
Play	110	(1)
Project-Based Learning	110	(1)
Simulations	110	(1)
Technology	110	(1)
Planning Instruction	111	(3)
Anticipatory Set	111	(1)
Behavioral and Cognitive Objectives	111	(1)
Curriculum Frameworks	111	(1)
Emergent Curriculum	111	(1)
Grouping Practices	111	(1)
Lesson Planning	111	(1)
Standards	112	(1)
English Language Arts	112	(1)
Foreign Languages	113	(1)
Mathematics	113	(1)
Science	113	(1)
Social Studies	113	(1)
Thematic Instruction	113	(1)
Transfer	113	(1)
Assessment Strategies	114	(2)
Assessment Types	114	(2)
Educational Measurement	116	(3)
Analytical Scoring	116	(1)
Grade-Level Equivalent Scores	116	(1)
Holistic Scoring	116	(1)
Mean, Median, and Mode	116	(1)
Percentile Rank	116	(1)
Quartiles	116	(1)
Raw Score	116	(1)
Reliability	117	(1)
Rubrics	117	(1)
Samples	117	(1)
Scaled Scores	117	(1)
Standard Deviation	117	(1)
Standard Error of Measurement	117	(1)
Stanines	117	(1)
Validity	117	(2)
Communication Techniques	119	(12)
Environmental Factors to Promote Communication	120	(2)
Promoting Respect and Caring	120	(1)
Goal-Setting	120	(1)
Effective Class Management	120	(1)
Problem-Solving	120	(1)
Curbing School Violence	121	(1)
Risk-Taking	121	(1)
Stimulating Curiosity	121	(1)
Positive Interdependence	121	(1)
Techniques to Foster Verbal and Nonverbal Communication	122	(2)
Setting Clear Expectations	122	(1)
Providing Clear Directions	122	(1)
Break Down Complex Tasks	122	(1)
Signal Transitions	122	(1)
Explicit Teaching	122	(1)
Highlight Key Information	123	(1)
Gestures	123	(1)
Eye Contact	123	(1)
``With-it-ness''	123	(1)
Personal Space	123	(1)
Noise Level	123	(1)
Questioning Techniques	124	(2)
Room Arrangement	124	(1)
Getting the Discussion Started	124	(1)
Factual Recall	124	(1)
Higher-Level Thinking	124	(1)
Probing for Student Understanding	124	(1)
Student Question Generating	125	(1)
All Pupil Response	125	(1)
Wait Time	125	(1)
Helpful Roles in a Discussion	125	(1)
Diversity in Classrooms Today	126	(3)
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity	126	(1)
Degree of Directness	127	(1)
The Role of Context	127	(1)
The Importance of ``Saving Face''	127	(1)
The Task and the Person	127	(1)
Other Areas of Diversity in Classrooms Today	127	(1)
Socioeconomic Background	127	(1)
Social Styles	128	(1)
Learning Styles	128	(1)
Scholastic Abilities and Challenges	128	(1)
Lifestyles	128	(1)
Stimulating Discussion and Responses in the Classroom	129	(2)
Planning for Discussions	129	(1)
Discussion Methods	129	(1)
Whole-Class	129	(1)
Small-Group	129	(1)
Literature Circles	129	(1)
Panels and Debates	129	(1)
Reports	130	(1)
Reader Response	130	(1)
Teacher Professionalism	131	(16)
The Reflective Practitioner	132	(2)
The School and Society	132	(1)
Advocacy for Learners	132	(1)
Teachers' Rights	133	(1)
Students' Rights	133	(1)
Resources	134	(2)
Professional Associations	134	(1)
English Language Arts	134	(1)
Mathematics	134	(1)
Science	134	(1)
Foreign Languages	134	(1)
Social Studies	134	(1)
Colleagues	134	(1)
Conferences	134	(1)
Professional Literature	134	(1)
Professional Development	135	(1)
The Larger Community	136	(2)
Educational Law	136	(1)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II	136	(1)
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)	136	(1)
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)	136	(1)
Section 504	136	(1)
Public Law 94-142	136	(1)
Massachusetts Laws of Education 1642 and 1647	136	(1)
Land Ordinance of 1785	137	(1)
Northwest Ordinance of 1787	137	(1)
Plessy v. Ferguson	137	(1)
Oregon School Case of 1925	137	(1)
Brown v. Board of Education	137	(1)
History of U.S. Education	138	(6)
Colonial Period (1600-1776)	138	(1)
The Puritan Influence	138	(1)
Latin Grammar School	138	(1)
Establishment of Harvard College	138	(1)
Hornbooks	138	(1)
New England Primer	138	(1)
Early National Period (1776-1840)	138	(1)
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)	138	(1)
Thomas Jefferson	139	(1)
Noah Webster	139	(1)
Yale Report of 1828	139	(1)
Common School Period (1840-1880)	139	(1)
Common School	139	(1)
Horace Mann	139	(1)
Henry Barnard	139	(1)
Normal School	140	(1)
McGuffey Readers	140	(1)
Compulsory Education	140	(1)
Morrill Act of 1862	140	(1)
National Education Association	140	(1)
Establishment of Kindergartens	140	(1)
Progressive Period (1880-1920)	140	(1)
Impact of Business and Industry on American Education	140	(1)
The Superintendent	141	(1)
The Principal	141	(1)
Division of Schools into Grades	141	(1)
The Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education	141	(1)
NEA Committee of Ten	142	(1)
American Federation of Teachers	142	(1)
Manual Training Movement	142	(1)
Modern Period (1920-Present)	142	(1)
John Dewey (1859-1952)	142	(1)
Adult Education	142	(1)
Testing Movement	142	(1)
Sputnik	143	(1)
ESEA	143	(1)
A Nation at Risk	143	(1)
Goals 2000: The National Education Goals	143	(1)
No Child Left Behind	143	(1)
Promoting Partnerships	144	(3)
Respectful Communication	144	(1)
Shared Decision-making	144	(1)
School as Resource	144	(1)
Teacher as Resource	144	(3)
PART IV: FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE TESTS
PLT Early Childhood Practice Tests	147	(40)
Practice Test I	149	(14)
Case I	149	(1)
Scenario: Miss Cindy	149	(1)
Document 1	149	(1)
Document 2	150	(2)
Case II	152	(1)
Scenario: Annie	152	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	153	(2)
Case III	155	(1)
Scenario: Mrs. Sevey	155	(1)
Document 1	155	(1)
Document 2	156	(2)
Case IV	158	(1)
Scenario: Liz	158	(1)
Document 1	158	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	160	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test I	163	(5)
Case I	163	(1)
Case II	163	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	164	(1)
Explanations	164	(1)
Case III	165	(1)
Case IV	166	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	166	(1)
Explanations	167	(1)
Full-Length Practice Test II	168	(12)
Case I	168	(1)
Scenario: Miss Phyllis	168	(1)
Case II	169	(1)
Scenario: Joseph	169	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	171	(2)
Case III	173	(1)
Scenario: Ms. Horm	173	(1)
Document 1	173	(1)
Document 2	174	(1)
Case IV	175	(1)
Scenario: Jessica	175	(1)
Document 1	176	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	177	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test II	180	(7)
Case I	180	(1)
Case II	180	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	181	(1)
Explanations	181	(1)
Case III	182	(1)
Case IV	183	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	183	(1)
Explanations	184	(3)
PLT Grades K-6 Practice Tests	187	(38)
Practice Test I	189	(13)
Case I	189	(1)
Scenario: Miss Chandler	189	(1)
Document 1: Civil War 1861-1862	189	(2)
Document 2	191	(1)
Case II	192	(1)
Scenario: Jack	192	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	194	(2)
Case III	196	(1)
Scenario: Matt and Ryan	196	(1)
Case IV	197	(1)
Scenario: Miss Arrighie	197	(1)
Document 1	198	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	199	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test I	202	(6)
Case I	202	(1)
Case II	202	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	203	(1)
Explanations	203	(1)
Case III	204	(1)
Case IV	205	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	206	(1)
Explanations	206	(2)
Practice Test II	208	(12)
Case I	208	(1)
Scenario: Miss Egan	208	(1)
Document 1: Observing Cloud Formations	208	(3)
Case II	211	(1)
Scenario: Jeffrey	211	(1)
Document 1	211	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	212	(2)
Case III	214	(1)
Scenario: Ms. Maher	214	(2)
Case IV	216	(1)
Scenario: Dwayne	216	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	217	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test II	220	(5)
Case I	220	(1)
Case II	220	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	221	(1)
Explanations	221	(1)
Case III	222	(1)
Case IV	223	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	223	(1)
Explanations	224	(1)
PLT Grades 5-9 Practice Tests	225	(38)
Practice Test I	227	(13)
Case I	227	(1)
Scenario: Ms. Manning	227	(1)
Document 1	227	(1)
Document 2	227	(1)
Document 3	227	(1)
Document 4	228	(1)
Case II	229	(1)
Scenario: Miss Kelly	229	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	230	(3)
Case III	233	(1)
Scenario: Mr. Dupre and Mr. Polhemus	233	(1)
Document 1: Mr. Dupre's Civil War Lesson Plan	233	(1)
Document 2: Mr. Polhemus's Civil War Lesson Plan	234	(2)
Case IV	236	(1)
Scenario: Kelly	236	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	237	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test I	240	(5)
Case I	240	(1)
Case II	240	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	241	(1)
Explanations	241	(1)
Case III	242	(1)
Case IV	242	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	243	(1)
Explanations	243	(2)
Practice Test II	245	(12)
Case I	245	(1)
Scenario: Tom	245	(2)
Case II	247	(1)
Scenario: Terrance	247	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	249	(2)
Case III	251	(1)
Scenario: Michael	251	(1)
Case IV	252	(1)
Scenario: Mr. Poulin	252	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	254	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test II	257	(6)
Case I	257	(1)
Case II	257	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	258	(1)
Explanations	258	(1)
Case III	259	(1)
Case IV	259	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	260	(1)
Explanations	260	(3)
PLT Grades 7-12 Practice Tests	263	(36)
Practice Test I	265	(12)
Case I	265	(1)
Scenario: Miss Matthews	265	(1)
Document 1	265	(1)
Procedures	265	(1)
Evaluation	266	(1)
Case II	267	(1)
Scenario: Colin	267	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	269	(2)
Case III	271	(1)
Scenario: Mrs. Horton	271	(2)
Case IV	273	(1)
Scenario: Luke	273	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	274	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test I	277	(5)
Case I	277	(1)
Case II	277	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	278	(1)
Explanations	279	(1)
Case III	279	(1)
Case IV	280	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	281	(1)
Explanations	281	(1)
Practice Test II	282	(10)
Case I	282	(1)
Scenario: Mr. Robinson	282	(1)
Case II	283	(1)
Scenario: Miss Coates	283	(2)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	285	(1)
Case III	286	(1)
Scenario: Ashley	287	(1)
Case IV	288	(1)
Scenario: Mrs. Young	288	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	289	(3)
Answers and Explanations, Test II	292	(7)
Case I	292	(1)
Case II	292	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	293	(1)
Explanations	293	(1)
Case III	294	(1)
Case IV	294	(1)
Discrete Multiple-Choice Questions	295	(1)
Explanations	295	(4)
PART V: CLOSING THOUGHTS
Final Tips and a Study Planning Guide	299	(2)
Final Tips	300	(1)
Registration	300	(1)
Studying	300	(1)
Test Day	300	(1)
Study Planning Guide	301