Primary Math Methods Final Exam Review

Which of the following is a TRUE statement about the theory of constructivism?

• Learners are blank slates, waiting to be filled with knowledge from the teacher

• Your brain uses existing knowledge to make sense of new information

• Knowing is the same thing as understanding

• Memorizing is the most important aspect of the learning process

Which of the following is a TRUE statement about Sociocultural Theory?

• Students learn best when they work by themselves to solve math problems.

• Students learn best when they work with others to solve math problems.

• Students learn best when the math problems are too easy for them to solve.

• Students learn best when the math problems are too hard for them to solve.

What should a teacher do to set up an environment for "doing" mathematics, based on the ideas of constructivism and sociocultural learning theory?

• Demonstrate specific rules for how to solve each type of problem.

• Quickly provide corrected answers, so students are not embarrassed by mistakes

• Require complete silence as students work on solving math problems

• Pose worthwhile tasks that open opportunities to develop mathematical thinking

As a teacher, you want to encourage higher level thinking in your classroom. Which of the following verbs is most representative of higher level thinking?

• Compute

• Complete

• Create

• Calculate

Problem solving is identified as an NCTM Process Standard. How is problem solving included in the PA Core Math Standards?

• Problem solving is included as one of the content areas for math in the PA Core Math Standards

• Problem solving is included as a standard for mathematical practice in the PA Core Math Standards

• Problem solving is included as a focus for upper elementary grades only in the PA Core Math Standards

• Problem solving is not included in the PA Core Math Standards

Which grade level is the following PA Core Math Standard?

CC.2.1.3.B.4.

• First grade

• Second grade

• Third grade

• Fourth grade

You are using the following objective for the box challenge in your classroom: "Given 12 wooden blocks, the fifth grade students will list at least 15 different ways to create a rectangular prism with a volume of 12."

Which PA Standard for Mathematical Practice is best aligned with this objective?

• Use appropriate tools strategically

• Model with mathematics

• Attend to precision

• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

A preschool teacher wants to promote children's skills related to counting and comparing numbers. Which of the following is most appropriate to use for this purpose?

• Ask students to look around the classroom for the largest number they can find

• Let the class vote on which book the teacher should read next and then ask the class which book won, based on votes

• Have the class count the number of times a flipped coin comes up heads and then predict the next coin flip

• Select one child each day to count the number of children in the class and set out the appropriate number of cups for a water break

A teacher shows her Kindergarten students a picture card with a set of objects, and then asks students to make three collections of counters: one set that has the same amount, one set that has more than the amount shown, and one set that has less than the amount shown on the picture card.

Select the PA Core Math Standard that is the best aligned with this activity.

• CC.2.1.K.A.1: Know number names and write and recite the count sequence

• CC.2.1.K.A.2: Apply one-to-one correspondence to count the number of objects

• CC.2.1.K.A.3: Apply the concept of magnitude to compare numbers and quantities

• CC.2.1.K.B.1: Use place value to compose and decompose numbers within 19

A Kindergarten student is able to look at arrangements of dots on a page and quickly name how many dots there are. What early counting strategy is this student showing?

• Cardinality

• Number Sequence

• One-to-one Correspondence

• Subitizing