A second grade student's writing samples are presented. The teacher is asked to list five concepts of writing that the student understands, and explain two ways to improve the child's writing. The essay must build on the child's strengths and demonstrate two ways to improve the mechanics of the child's writing. A good answer focuses on the individual student and demonstrates in-depth knowledge of teaching methods. A good response shows positive regard for the child and warmly encourages the child to express himself. A bad answer is: The child has difficulty forming characters and needs to practice his penmanship. He needs to write neatly about a conventional topic.
Each essay question is a different teaching situation. In the mathematics essay, the teacher must state a goal and discuss an approach or plan to accomplish the goal and meet objectives or procedure necessary to achieve the goal. Mathematical problem solving requires a curriculum, lesson plans, instruction and assessment. You might be asked how to use audio-visual equipment to teach mathematics in the second grade. A good answer details using feedback from students to judge effectiveness or quality of instruction.
Proficiency in social studies includes knowledge of geography, anthropology, sociology, world and United States history, government and democracy. The teacher should demonstrate knowledge of the economy, supply and demand, money and resources. The teacher must interpret a variety of information and understand how the information is interrelated. The teacher should demonstrate the ability to teach concepts of population, culture, responsibility of citizens and major events in United States and world history.
The interdisciplinary essay requires competence on multiple standards. The teacher must use and understand subject area concepts and principles and theories of instruction. At the same time, the teacher must demonstrate an understanding of child development to apply the principles of learning reading/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. The focused essay prompt requires the teacher to integrate and apply knowledge of instruction and differentiate individual students to elicit critical thinking in the student. Learning, motivation and curriculum are as important as child development. The teacher's answer must show proficiency required for student teaching.