Since you've done this exercise before, you likely have some idea of what they'll ask. Use that experience to prepare now.
The Assessment Center at a Glance doesn't have a sample for the SS, but below are the directions for it:
In this exercise, you demonstrate your knowledge of a social studies concept and your ability to use multiple strategies, resources, and assessment methods to develop that concept. You plan an instructional sequence for a class in which learning objectives, prior knowledge, materials or resources, and the method of assessment is discussed.
So you know they'll give you a scenario of some kind...the grade level, the topic, a bit of background information to use as a foundation. Go into this with some knowledge of several SS topics studied in the primary grades (through 3d grade). Use your state standards to make a list of likely topics...could be something like community or citizenship or families or even a geography topic.
Think ahead of some objectives for these topics. Use some sentence starters like "The students will learn___". Be able to formulate 2 or 3 per topic. Think what resources/materials might be used. Have some strategies in mind that could be used for many topics...create a brochure, cooperative learning work, research etc. How could you assess? Write up a few lesson plans that might work for various topics: KWLCharts, video? Smart board activities, make something - a Venn diagram, T-Chart, a map, puppets...something age/grade appropriate.
Have these things in mind when you GO to the AC, then it won't take so long to think of ideas and you'll have more time for writing. If you can remember the topic(s) from your previous attempt(s), use them for practice. Practice typing for 30 minutes to get faster at thinking and typing. Do this several times!
Good Luck!
On 5/29/16, Binh wrote: > I am retaking the social studies assessment for EC Gen (old > portfolio). Anyone have an idea what will be on the test?
1) Study the examples given in the document found on the NB page with the matrix with all the Components. Click on Component 1.
Analyze the Selected Response questions. Note the topics these questions cover. There's a good chance you'll have at least some of these on YOUR test. Notice which topics address the various ages within your certificate. If there are some you are weak in or don't know, spend some time researching/reviewing. Generalists, the SR section might tend to cover subject areas NOT emphasized in the Constructed Response section - SS for instance. Consider boning up on topics such as US Government, important historical documents etc.
This works in ALL certificate areas...analyze those SR scenarios. If you choose a response that turns out to be wrong, dig deeper and figure out WHY the NB chose a particular response. Become a student again and learn.
Use your State Standards to see what topics are covered in the various grade levels / courses contained in your certificate area. Make a list of the main topics and do some review and research. Use Google, teacher manuals, AP test prep materials etc. You'll need to be resourceful!
For the Constructed Responses, pay attention to how they're organized...Introduction, Criteria for Scoring, Directions, Stimulus, and Prompts. Now, read the VERBS that explain what you'll Do: Analyze, Explain, Provide, Describe, etc. Many exercises ask you do analyze strengths and weaknesses and address those with appropriate pedagogy. Elementary certificates are heavier on pedagogy than MS/HS certificates.
While reviewing content ( math, science etc.) you can have several strategies in mind that can fit many scenarios. Have those strategies memorized so you can recall and apply them quickly.
The 3 areas the CR's test are given to you. Figure out where your strengths and weaknesses are within those areas. ENS for example, you've got numeracy, assessment, and collaboration. Read the samples because they give you a pretty clear picture of the general areas you need to know about.
Use your State Standards here, too, to ferret out important concepts that could be used.
Now, start with the 3 Exercises given. Set a timer for 30 minutes and start typing a response following the prompts. Do this multiple times. You'll get faster each time, You'll think faster and type faster. You can use all the space you want...for example you can use bullets and not worry about the space they take up...but your time is strictly limited. So quick thinking is important. That's why having some strategies already in your head can help. This may be the #1 most important practice you can do.
BE RESOURCEFUL! I can't emphasize that enough. You'll likely need to research topics you don't teach, or haven't taught for a long time, or for grade levels/courses you don't teach. Accomplished teachers must be broadly cognizant of what comes above and below their own teaching context. Educate yourself!
Of course, this isn't all-encompassing. But if you use the NB samples, they will go a long way toward helping you.
Does anyone have any resources they recommend I review for the Component 1: Early Adolescence ELA Subject matter test?
Also, does the test mainly consist of pedagogy questions OR do I need to review English literature (like most of the English tests for teaching licensure)?
On 5/23/16, N Sec wrote: > Does anyone have any resources they recommend I review for > the Component 1: Early Adolescence ELA Subject matter test? > > Also, does the test mainly consist of pedagogy questions OR > do I need to review English literature (like most of the > English tests for teaching licensure)?
Does anyone know when the instructions for component 4 will be released? I'm working on Literacy: Reading-Language Arts, and I'd love to get started on thinking about this for next year. Thanks!
NB has said that the final version will be out in November, but you don't need to wait until then to start. When they came out with Component 3 last year, it was 99.99&37; identical to the Component 3 Field Test. My guess is that there will be a similar correlation with Component 4. At the very least, the Field Test will give you a good picture of what to expect.
Hope that helps.
On 5/20/16, Susan wrote: > Does anyone know when the instructions for > component 4 will be released? I'm working on Literacy: > Reading-Language Arts, and I'd love to get started on > thinking about this for next year. > Thanks!
The Submission At-A-Glance guide does not say to add the candidate number. If anyone else forgot to add it, you might want to call them and let them know why. Hoping there are no deductions for that.
And I read something somewhere in the instructions that there are no deductions for missing candidate numbers. I was looking because I was worried about my videos -- there was nothing I could find that we had to provide any ID on the videos. I hope I'm correct!
On 5/19/16, Barb wrote: > On 5/19/16, d wrote: >> The Submission At-A-Glance guide does not say to add the >> candidate number. If anyone else forgot to add it, you >> might want to call them and let them know why. Hoping >> there are no deductions for that. > > > > And I read something somewhere in the instructions that there > are no deductions for missing candidate numbers. I was > looking because I was worried about my videos -- there was > nothing I could find that we had to provide any ID on the > videos. I hope I'm correct!
ShannonOn 5/17/16, Shannon wrote: > Has anyone found any good resources for studying for the > exam for component 1 exceptional needs specialist? > > Thanks!
I should add that I am going for the mild/moderate disabilities.
I studied the special education Praxis study guide...See MoreOn 5/17/16, Shannon wrote: > On 5/17/16, Shannon wrote: >> Has anyone found any good resources for studying for the >> exam for component 1 exceptional needs specialist? >> >> Thanks! > > I should add that I am going for the mild/moderate > disabilities.
I studied the special education Praxis study guide.
I have one of the books written by What Works. Will she/you be releasing a book on Component 4? I am looking ahead and I am very concerned as my content area is Health. I only teach students for 6 weeks and wonder how to approach this component.
What I suggest for you is to study the Component 4 Field Test. Based on the Component 3 experience with the Field test, the final version is likely to be identical to or very nearly the same as the Field Test. It will definitely get you prepared.
There are several major parts to Component 4: Knowledge of Students, Generation and Use of Assessments (formative and summative), Participation in Learning Communities and Collaboration.
The Knowledge of Students and Generation and Use of Assessments are the two parts that you'll need to accomplish during the period of time you have your students. The other parts can take place over the course of the school year (and even up to 2 years previous SEE DIRECTIONS FOR DETAILS!!!).
That's the best advice I can give at this point. Good Luck!
On 5/19/16, CM wrote: > I have one of the books written by What Works. Will she/you > be releasing a book on Component 4? I am looking ahead and > I am very concerned as my content area is Health. I only > teach students for 6 weeks and wonder how to approach this > component.
Since you've done this exercise before, you likely have some idea of what they'll ask. Use that experience to prepare now.
The Assessment Center at a Glance doesn't have a sample for the SS, but below...See More