Quiz 2

Why do the authors claim it is important for elementary and middle school teachers to develop their own subject matter understanding?

• Because they can’t teach what they don’t know

• So they are accurate when teaching the facts

• So they are capable of teaching to the broad curriculum goals of social studies

• So they will have credibility with student and parents

Since no human can know all there is to know about the social studies, what should teachers do when they are unsure of some subject knowledge?

• The teacher should find excellent resources to supplement what they know.

• The teacher should locate a knowledgeable guest speaker.

• The teacher should avoid teaching that subject.

• The teacher should plan fun activities.

Which of the following is an initial step in planning a social studies unit?

• Studying the standards and curricular frameworks/guides

• Reflecting upon personal histories and developing a unit around them

• Developing learning activities

• Creating a list of all the social studies topics to be studied

What do well-stated learning targets allow teachers and students to do?

• Create a scope and sequence of learning activities over the elementary grades.

• Create a unit of study as it unfolds.

• Develop units based upon individual interests.

• Clearly understand how instructional activities relate to the purpose of study.

The authors contend that learning targets should not describe the activity students will engage in. Instead, what is the key part of a good learning target?

• The ways in which students will experience the social studies unit

• What students will learn

• The skills students must demonstrate in order to engage in the activity

• The knowledge students must have in order to complete the activity

According to the authors, what is the most important in deciding if an assessment is a good one?

• The assessment is a performance assessment that engages students in the application of the knowledge and skills.

• The assessment has a rubric that provides a target for students to shoot for.

• The assessment helps the teacher understand how students are doing relative to the most important learning targets.

• The assessment provides a grade for the grade book.

What is the reason the authors provide for using a unit planning form?

• A planning form helps the teacher see a more complete picture of the unit.

• A planning form helps the teacher create a greater variety of assessments.

• A planning form helps the teacher coordinate objectives, assessments, and activities.

• A planning form helps the teacher focus on teaching rather than planning.

Which of the following is not a purpose of the first phase of a unit?

• Covering important curricular ideas

• Arousing students’ curiosity and interest

• Assessing students’ current understanding

• Exploring with students the possibilities studying the topic presents

Why do the authors suggest it is helpful to have children participate in planning instructional activities?

• Young people are more creative than teachers.

• Students know what they like to do.

• Student participation is less work for the teacher.

• Student participation helps attain and maintain student engagement in the unit.

What is a primary purpose of the final stage of a study?

• Helping students get a good grade.

• Helping students summarize what they have learned.

• Helping students complete their portfolio.

• Helping students complete a culminating performance.