TExES PPR EC-12 (160) Exam Questions
and Answers
Use this information to answer questions 1-5: - Answer -A sixth-grade history teacher is
beginning a unit on Native American history. After the teacher forms the students into
groups, each group will identify a specific tribe on which to concentrate. The unit will
integrate a variety of instructional approaches, including internet research and a
culminating presentation. The teacher wants to use this unit to help develop students'
independence as learners and to engage in learning activities that promote high levels
of understanding of the history content.
1. The teacher starts the unit by having each group formulate questions they have about
Native American history and culture. This activity primarily addresses which of the
following instructional strategies for actively engaging students in learning? - Answer -
Activating prior knowledge
2. After all the groups present their questions, the teacher compiles a master list of all
the questions. Which of the following strategies is most likely to promote students'
motivation as they work on the project? - Answer -The teacher allows each group to
select questions they want to explore.
3. Which of the following delivery methods best describe the teacher's approach in
teaching the Native American history and culture unit? - Answer -Inquiry and problem
solving
4. The teacher gives the students the following guidelines about preparing the final
presentation of their Native American history and culture research:
The projects should be multimedia projects incorporating visuals, appropriate music,
and text. Group members should work cooperatively to make sure each individual
contributes meaningfully and equitably to the team product. I will work with each group
to help you assign production tasks to each member. We will have two days in the
computer lab to produce your projects once you compile your research.
This culminating activity primarily addresses which of the following instructional goals? -
Answer -To integrate technology to help students synthesize knowledge and publish the
results of their research
5. Which of the following assessment strategies would most appropriately address the
instructional objectives for this unit? - Answer -A reflective essay that allows each
,individual student to explain how participating in the project developed his/her
understanding of Native American history and culture
6. On the first day of class, a high school teacher begins the class by asking students to
do this activity:
Pull your chairs together into groups of four. Take five minutes to introduce each other
by completing this sentence, "Hi my name is _; five years from now, I would like to be
_". Be ready to introduce one of your group members to the whole class.
This activity primarily addresses which of the following instructional goals? - Answer -It
begins to create a nurturing, inclusive classroom community.
7. A fourth-grade teacher has several beginning level ELL students in his science class.
The students rarely speak in class, one communicates using monosyllables in English
and by pointing, and another speaks only in Spanish. Which of the following
instructional adaptions would best promote the students' proficiency in English? -
Answer -Doing teacher read-alouds of books on concepts the class is covering and
integrating oral language activities that invite the ELL students to participate in class
discussion
8. Which of the following scenarios correctly describes a teacher's responsibility in
integrating a special education student into a mainstream classroom? - Answer -The
teacher is responsible for meeting the instructional requirements specified in the
student's IEP.
9. While shopping at the grocery store, a fifth-grade teacher runs into one of his
students' parents. The parent brings up a playground incident in which her son, Adrian,
was sent to detention but the other boy received no disciplinary action. The mother tells
the teacher that this is unfair and asks the teacher to do something about it. The tells
the parent that he was not present at the incident and does not know the specifics.
Which of the following actions would best address the teacher's professional
responsibilities while responding to the parent's concerns? - Answer -The teacher
suggests that the parent contact the school principal to get clarification on the incident.
10. A high school biology teacher assigns a collaborative research project; students will
be working in groups of five to integrate their research into a poster presentation. Which
of the following teaching strategies would most effectively promote active, productive
engagement by all members of each group? - Answer -The teacher breaks up the
assignment into sequenced steps and clearly explains individual and group
expectations for effective completion of each step.
11. A high school algebra teacher wants to develop his students' abilities to complete
proofs effectively. Which of the following instructional strategies would most effectively
target students' abilities to self-assess their work? - Answer -The teacher creates a
,checklist that reminds students of basic procedures in completing algebra proofs
effectively.
12. Which of the following scenarios best represents an individual teacher's
responsibilities in adhering to procedures for administering state-mandated exams? -
Answer -The teacher needs to follow all rules and regulations prior to the exam date,
such as administering benchmarks, going over practice materials, and preparing the
classroom areas as designated by state and district policies.
13. In Texas, students are designated Limited English Proficient (English Language
Learner) if... - Answer -the mandatory home language survey shows that a language
other than English is spoken at home.
14. In working with mainstream ELL students, which of the following strategies would
enable a third-grade teacher to adapt lessons to promote higher levels of English
proficiency as described by ELPS? - Answer -The teacher uses formal and informal
assessments to determine ELL students' competency based on their performance and
to adjust to meet students' instructional needs.
15. A ninth-grade teacher whose ELL students are not meeting satisfactory standards
on the campus benchmarks is concerned that these low achievement levels will have a
negative impact on the students' persistence in developing higher levels of English
proficiency. The teacher's concern demonstrates awareness of... - Answer -the
connection between the belief that success is possible and the motivation to learn.
16. A sixth-grade teacher is planning a unit on water and related concepts of
conservation, ecology, and human needs. The teacher wants to stimulate reflection,
critical thinking, and inquiry among the students. Which of the following initial learning
activities would most effectively engage students in instructional goals? - Answer -The
teacher has students work in groups to a create a diary of water-related events that
impact them in a single day and rate each event as (1) essential, (2) important, or (3)
unnecessary.
17. A third-grade class includes a large number of ELL students, many of whom are
reading significantly below grade level. The teacher is compiling a class library to use
during sustained silent-reading and free-reading times. Additionally, she wants to
ensure that the books support ELL students content-area knowledge as well as basic
English proficiency. Which of the following considerations should the teacher keep in
mind in selecting books for the library? - Answer -The books should have reading levels
that match the ranges of student reading levels in the classroom.
18. A seventh grade teacher creates interest centers throughout the classroom that
include short videos, pamphlets, testimonials, magazine articles, and good websites in a
wide variety of careers. After the students have a chance to visit several centers, the
teacher pulls the class together into a discussion circle and invited students to talk
about which centers interested them most and why. This strategy reflects the teacher's
, understanding that the students are in which of Erikson's stages of psychosocial
development? - Answer -Identity versus role confusion
19. A sixth-grade class has just completed a reading circles project based on books that
each group self-selected with some guidance from the teacher. In preparation for
parents' night, the teacher asks students to pick a book from the reading circle projects
that they would like to share with their family. On parents' nights, the teacher talks to the
parents about trying to start a family reading time, about helping their children keep at-
home reading logs, and about reinforcing at-home reading efforts with minor rewards.
The teacher's activities address which of the following areas of teaching
responsibilities? - Answer -Engaging families in their children's educational experiences
20. A teacher creates a World Holidays and Celebrations Calendar in her third-grade
class. Each month, she picks one holiday, and the children prepare decorations, learn
songs, read stories, and learn the history of the cultural or national significance of the
holiday. This activity primarily addresses which of the following instructional goals? -
Answer -To promote students' appreciation of cultural and national diversity
Use the following information to answer questions 21-23 - Answer -Marcus, a student in
Mr. Pruitt's fifth grade class, is having trouble working math word problems
independently. Mr. Pruitt uses a variety of learner-centered activities including modeling,
group work, mini-lessons, and manipulatives to provide guided practice and to prepare
students for independent work on homework.
21. Although Marcus participates actively and successfully in class, he routinely turns in
incomplete homework. Which of the following actions should the teacher take to support
Marcus's learning? - Answer -The teacher should request a parent conference to
discuss ways the parents can help Marcus develop independent study habits at home.
22. A few weeks later, while the class is working in groups on a challenging word
problem, Mr. Pruitt is reviewing homework from the previous night. When he checks
Marcus's homework, Mr. Pruitt marks all the problems as complete and correct. He
says, "Marcus, eyes up, please", and he smiles and gives Marcus two thumbs up. The
teacher's response to Marcus's homework primarily demonstrates which of the following
strategies for promoting student learning? - Answer -Using verbal and nonverbal
interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with students about class goals
23. Mr. Pruitt recognizes the problems with Marcus as an opportunity to clarify
expectations about the role of homework in overall class achievement. Mr. Pruitt plans a
whole-class and small-group discussion starting with open-ended questions about what
homework is for and moving into student-generated questions and answers about how
teachers can make homework a better learning experience. This activity primarily
targets which of the following principles of responsive instruction? - Answer -Using
skilled questioning and class discussion strategies to promote inquiry