PRAXIS PRAXIS Principles of Learning: Planning and Diversity 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step a teacher should take when designing a lesson plan?
- Write the assessment
- Identify the learning objectives (Correct answer)
- Select instructional materials
- Plan the closure activity
Correct answer: Identify the learning objectives
Identifying clear learning objectives defines what students should know and be able to do, guiding all other lesson planning decisions.
Question 2: What does the term 'backward design' mean in curriculum planning?
- Planning lessons in reverse chronological order
- Starting with the desired outcomes and then designing instruction to achieve them (Correct answer)
- Using last year's lesson plans in reverse order
- Teaching from the end of the textbook to the beginning
Correct answer: Starting with the desired outcomes and then designing instruction to achieve them
Backward design, developed by Wiggins and McTighe, begins with identifying desired learning outcomes and then plans instruction and assessment to achieve those goals.
Question 3: Which component of a lesson plan describes how the teacher will determine if students have met the learning objectives?
- Materials list
- Instructional procedures
- Assessment (Correct answer)
- Learning objectives
Correct answer: Assessment
The assessment component outlines how the teacher will measure student understanding and determine whether learning objectives were achieved.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an anticipatory set (or 'hook') at the beginning of a lesson?
- To review yesterday's homework assignment
- To engage students' interest and connect new learning to prior knowledge (Correct answer)
- To formally introduce the lesson objectives only
- To distribute materials to students
Correct answer: To engage students' interest and connect new learning to prior knowledge
An anticipatory set activates prior knowledge and captures student interest, preparing them mentally for the new learning ahead.
Question 5: When planning for diverse learners, what does 'differentiated instruction' primarily involve?
- Teaching the same lesson the same way to all students
- Modifying content, process, or product to meet individual student needs (Correct answer)
- Grouping students by ability permanently
- Using the same assessment for every student
Correct answer: Modifying content, process, or product to meet individual student needs
Differentiated instruction involves adjusting content, instructional processes, and assessment products to accommodate students' varying readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles.
Question 6: Which type of learning objective uses measurable, observable terms to describe student performance?
- Vague goal statements
- Bloom's Taxonomy-based behavioral objectives (Correct answer)
- Holistic development goals
- General affective domain wishes
Correct answer: Bloom's Taxonomy-based behavioral objectives
Behavioral objectives written using Bloom's Taxonomy use action verbs that describe observable, measurable student performance.
PRAXIS PRAXIS Principles of Learning: Planning and Diversity 1
What is the first step a teacher should take when designing a lesson plan?