PPR Vocabulary Terms are for EC-4, 4-8 and 8-12

Abstract concepts Cognitive thought that is a part or remote from any concrete reality or particular material object

Ability groups A grouping in which all children in a small group are roughly the same in academic level. Unfortunately, this type of placement results in ethnic tracking

Academic Learning Time The amount of time of a student is actively engaged in leaning academically relevant materials

Acceleration The goal of receiving the required curriculum but at an increased level

Accommodation Changes or modifications in the way students receive instruction to enable them to improve their learning or an experience

Focusing attentively on what a student is saying Active listening Focusing attentively on what a student is saying

Abstract concepts Non-observable concepts that are acquired only through the senses because they do not possess physical qualities

Academic learning time (ALT) The time when children are actually understanding and succeeding at the learning task.

acculturation The successful application of new knowledge form another culture while retaining one’s own native culture and language.

The process of measuring mastery of a given subject or specific skill Achievement test The process of measuring mastery of a given subject or specific skill

Holding schools and teachers responsible for student performance Accountability Holding schools and teachers responsible for student performance

Attention deficit disorder ADD Attention deficit disorder

affective domain Behavior that reflects interests, attitudes, opinions, values and emotions

Age-equivalent scores Based on developmental norms.

Specified amount of time for learning and other school events allocated time Specified amount of time for learning and other school events

alignment Lining up of standards and curriculum to meet the needs of students, schools, school districts and state goals. May be horizontal or vertical i.e. math 3rd grade is aware of what is being done in 2nd and 4th.

Acceptable use policy A statement of expectations for how students and faculty will use school resources, procedures they are expected to follow, and consequences when expectations and procedures are violated. Commonly associated with the use of computers and internet resources.

Advocate for children or students A person (usually a professional) who works with the family, the student, and school to ensure that each student receives the appropriate education necessary to optimize his her opportunity to achieve to the highest level of his/her potential

analysis The process of separating parts and then learning the relationship of these parts

analyze Look at objects, concepts, students, etc. in detail with the effort to determine if a relationship exists

Appropriate instruction Instruction that is considered to be the best choice for a student at a given time and in a given situation

Age appropriate Material or instruction that has been determined suitable for a student's state of development

Aide/paraprofessional Someone who provides assistance in the classroom.

analogy A comparison wherein one describes similarities between the ideas that are generally considered dissimilar.

Assertive discipline (Lee Cantor) A classroom management techniques that was/is utilized in schools. It makes clear statements of expectations and required behavior without employing hostile or argumentative action on the part of the teacher.

Aptitude test Test to determine how a person might perform in a certain area or activity

Alternative assessment A type of instruction and measurement that differs from the usual standard or paper and pencil test. Evaluation is in the form of presentations, portfolios and projects.

assessment The process of measuring or gathering data to discover what students know and are learning. The main purpose for assessment should be to plan appropriate instruction

Attribution theory A description of how beliefs about the causes of people’s successes and/or failures influence their motivation

auditory learner A student who learns best by receiving information through listening to information received rather than through visual means.

assimilation A cognitive process in which new information is integrated into an already existing schema

adaptation The adjustment of existing knowledge structure through either of the two processes of assimilation or accommodation

Assisted learning The process a teacher might use when providing scaffolding within a student’s zone of proximal development

One who learns best by listening rather than seeing or touching. Auditory learner One who learns best by listening rather than seeing or touching.

Behavioral approach An approach to motivation that emphasizes the desire to make sense of the world.

behavior modification A process that is employed to alter or change existing behavior by reinforcing desired behavior and ending undesirable behavior

Benchmark tests Tests used to determine if a student has met a specifically described task.

bilingual Being able to speak two languages with the facility of a native speaker

Biracial/multiracial People whose ancestors are from two or more different racial groups.

Bloom’s Taxonomy a Hierarchy of six levels of Thinking Knowledge Memorizing facts Comprehension understanding Application Apply concepts Analysis Breaking down the complex Synthesis Putting together complex ideas Evaluation Judging or forming an opinion

Cause-effect relationship Pattern showing the relationship between where one event happened as a result of another event

Process of thinking and reasoning cognition Process of thinking and reasoning

Cognitive development Changes in mental processes

Age of a person in years and months Chronological age Age of a person in years and months

Chunking Grouping bits of information into one unit of information to allow more items to be included in memory.

Classroom Climate (positive) An atmosphere in a classroom where students are comfortable and able to learn.

Classroom management A systematic approach to organizing a classroom so lessons can be delivered effectively and misbehaviors are redirected or prevented

closure A part of the lesson cycle in which the material covered, objectives of the lesson are restated thus bringing an appropriate conclusion to the lesson presented either by the teacher or is teacher directed.

Code of Ethics and Standard Practices Standards of practice and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues school officials, parents, members to which the Texas educator will adhere in order to safeguard academic freedom.

Commissioner of Education The chief educational officer in the state of Texas. Is appointed by governor and has administrative responsibility for the Texas Education agency and for over seeing the implementation of legislation into school and district operations.

Competency test A form of measurement that tests the basic skills students should to be able to acquire o master for the district or state.

Computer assisted instruction Software that provides assistance with instruction occurring in the classroom

Concept A mental structure that categorizes similar ideas, objects, events, people, or experiences.

conferences Interactions that take place to discuss assignments, events, creations or progress in any academic area; may be teacher-student conferences or peer-peer conferences in addition to teacher-caregiver conferences.

conservation The ability for students in the pre-operational stage of development in mentally reverse an operating or to realize that an object is the same under changing perceptual conditions.

Concrete operational stage The third of Piaget’s stages, covering ages 7-11; characterized by the ability to consider more than one aspect of an object or problems, conserve and classify and demonstrate the concept of seriation (placing items in a series.

Conventional moral reasoning The focus on graining approval of others as a result of a particular course of action

contiguity The simple pairing of two behaviors enough times that a person continues to pair the two even when only one is presented.

A question for which here is one (only) correct answer Convergent question A question for which here is one (only) correct answer

Corporal punishment Spanking or striking … it is not allow in public schools now.

Criterion-referenced tests A formal test composing a students’ test score to a of skills (criteria). The TAKS and the TExES are examples of criterion referenced tests.

A way of life; the habits, values and attitudes of a group of people Culture A way of life; the habits, values and attitudes of a group of people

Cultural deprivation Assumes that students have not culture and that is why they do poorly in school. Every student has a culture it just may be different for the teacher’s culture

Culturally-biased test Tests that, in their construction, reflect the basic knowledge and interpretation of a particular cultural or sub-cultural group.

Culturally relevant teaching A theory that underscores teaching practices grounded in the understanding of culture and experiences that shape students’ ways of knowing the world.

Cooperative learning Instruction that is structured for partners or small groups to work together.

Deficiency needs The four lower-levels needs of the Maslow’s hierarchy (survival, safety, belonging and self-esteem.

Development Systematic and lasting changes that take place over the course of the human life span

developmentally appropriate Instruction in a way that considers the stage of the child and the capabilities in the developmental stage, providing learning experiences that lead to optimal development

disequilibrium Occurs when dissonance after interaction with the environment is not consistent with our prior representation of events or objects.

Differentiated instruction Instruction that is changed to meet the needs of students by accepting assignments or tasks in varied means.

Differently-abled A term used to describe exceptional students who accomplish tasks in ways different from those of most other students

Direct instruction A teacher-centered instruction that is based around a structured form of delivery and completion of tasks.

Discovery Learning An instructional approach based on Bruner’s constructivist theory. The method allows the learner discover the information by themselves

A question for which there are many possible answers Divergent question A question for which there are many possible answers

domain An umbrella term that describes an area of the curriculum such as a math skill

A learning disability in the area of mathematics dyscalculia A learning disability in the area of mathematics

dysgraphia A learning disability in the area of written language, which affects the ability to formulate written letters or numbers and/or the ability to formulate a thought and express it in writing.

dyslexia A learning disability in reading that affects the ability or recognize and comprehend written words as a result of developmental language impairment.

One who believes that everyone sees the world as he or she does. Egocentric One who believes that everyone sees the world as he or she does.

The inability to take the perspective of others Egocentrism The inability to take the perspective of others

enrichment The provision of richer, more varied content through strategies that supplement the standard curriculum

equilibration The constant search for a balance between what we already know and a new activity, skill or social experience

Erik Erickson A theorist who believes that society, history and culture affect the personality development of a person. He is best know for this concept of the identify crisis.

equilibrium A mental balance between one’s cognitive schemes and information from the environment

Extrinsic motivation Motivation that is created by events or rewards outside of the individual

Extension A component in the lesson cycle that emphasizes the enlargement or expansion of the original learning objectives.

evaluation Typically refers to all means used in schools to formally measure student performance or behavior and to make judgments based on the results of the programs or procedures being implemented.

Factual question Questions which require students to recall information through recognition or rote memory

Fair use doctrine A component of federal law related op copyrights. It allows specified copying privileges of copyrighted work for teaching purposes.

Family diversity Diversity of cultural background, differences in family characteristics and structure, and circumstances or situational differences, resulting in diverse languages, economics situations, customs, attitudes behaviors and values.

Family involvement Encompasses all interactions between school and home that support student achievement.

Feedback The response given after a n action has taken place, in the context of the classroom there is a student teacher feedback.

Flexible grouping Student grouping based on a student’s need for review, re-teaching, practice or enrichment

focus Is an event that a teacher plans so as to ‘entice’ students into the lesson in some manner. (might be called the anticipatory set)

Formal assessment The use of standardized test instruments to gather information regarding a student's performance in an area of educational performance.

Formal operational stage The last of Piaget’s stages, covering ages 11 to adult; characterized by the ability to deal with abstract concepts.

Formative Assessment Assessment that occurs before a during the learning process in order to guide the content and pace of the lessons.

Free and appropriate public education (FAPE) The provision of IDEA that guarantees special education and related services to children with disabilities at public cost.

Favoring one gender over the other Gender Bias Favoring one gender over the other

Gifted A designation applied to students who are exceptionally creative, intelligent, and/or talented.

goal Generally thought of as broad idea of what the teacher (and other involved/interested in education) want the children to learn.

Grade-equivalent scores Based on developmental norms, reporting such scores assumes that all children or all children in certain grades have received uniform instruction.

Guided Practice A step in the lesson cycle here the student practices the leaning under direct teacher guidance.

Hands on Term applied to lessons which encourage students to be actively involved in learning by physically interacting with the teaching materials and/or manipulatives.

Heterogeneous Classroom grouping which integrated students who have a variety of grouping learning styles and/or abilities

What students learn that the teachers doesn’t teach explicitly. Hidden curriculum What students learn that the teachers doesn’t teach explicitly.

Humanistic approach An approach to motivation that emphasizes a person’s desire to improve him- or herself

hypothesis a possible explanation for an observation phenomenon or scientific problems that can be tested by further investigation.

Homogeneous Classroom grouping which places students of similar intellect, traits and grouping abilities for learning.

imagery The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions or ideas.

Information processing A cognitive view of learning that likens the mind to a computer with a place for data input, storage, and retrieval for future use.

Inclusion Including students with disabilities in the regular general education classroom

Independent practice A step in the lesson cycle that allow the student to practice the leaning independent of any outside assistance.

Indirect teaching Learning that occurs incidentally from the planned objective of a lesson

Informal assessment Spontaneously unstructured test that occur during instruction to determine the student’s level of understanding and performance

inquiry An inductive teaching method that engages students in investigation and explanation of situations and is designed to promote problem-solving through critical thinking.

Inquiry learning Learning based on student-designed processes to solve a problem; requires higher-level thinking skills

Professional development opportunities offered for practicing teachers In-service training Professional development opportunities offered for practicing teachers

Instructional grouping The division of students into small groups for the purpose of teaching certain concepts

Intelligence quotient The measure of a person’s intelligence as indicated by an intelligence test; the ratio of a person’s mental age to his or her chronological age (multiplied by 100)

Interdisciplinary instruction Teaching information through themes that incorporate several subject areas

Intrinsic motivation Motivation derived from activities that are rewarding within themselves

jigsaw A cooperative group strategy that requires each member to become an expert on one part of the whole lesson and teach it to the other students

kinesthetic A learning style that emphasizes the student's need to move in order to learn

labeling The use of a special education category to allow a student to access special educational services

Learned helplessness The expectation, based on previous experiences, that all efforts to succeed will fail.

Learning goals Goals based on improving abilities and learning with the focus on mastery rather than the time it may take—also called mastery goals.

Leading questions A nonobjective question in which the opinion of the one asking the question can be inferred from the way in which he question is asked.

Learner-centered instruction An approach to teaching that focuses on individual learners and promotes inquiry, higher-order thinking, problem solving, high levels of literacy and engagement

Learning disability A general term referring to a heterogeneous group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties I the acquisition and use of listening, speaking , reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical skills. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual, presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction and may occur across the lifespan.

Learning log a written response t literature but may be used to respond to other texts

Learning styles Orientations for approaching learning based on the manner of processing new information

Least restrictive environment Required by IDEA for students with disabilities to be placed in a setting that enables him or her to function to the fullest capability.

Limited English Proficiency The limited use of the English language

A place where information is permanently stored in the mind Long term memory A place where information is permanently stored in the mind

Local school board The community elected board that oversees the operation of schools in the local school district The board has a number of specific responsibility set out in law related to policy adoption and budgetary areas.

Placing special needs students in the regular classrooms mainstreaming Placing special needs students in the regular classrooms

Internally determined change maturation Internally determined change

Mental retardation (MR) Students who have intelligence skills that are below average (IQ below 70) Most MR students are born with below average intelligence and may have poor social skills also.

Mentors Beginning teachers are usually assigned an experienced teacher who is there to provide assistance and guidance for the first few years of teaching

Metacognition The ability to think about one’s own thinking and to control the thinking

Metacognitive Ability The ability to think about one’s own cognitive thinking processes and to use these processes to facilitate learning

Modalities Refers to the perference in learning of a particular sensory input such as visual, auditory, tactile (touching) and kinesthetic (movement).

Modeling The process of showing o demonstrating how to do a task or verbalizing how one does a mental tasks.

Multimedia Software, such as presentation software that combines texts, pictures, music, video, graphics and animation.

Term typically referred to as any ethnic group. Minority Term typically referred to as any ethnic group.

Negative reinforcement The removal of something undesirable in order to increase a behavior

Non-routine problem solving Solving a problem for which there is not an easily identifiable solution available.

Non-verbal message A communication expressed with body language, gestures, tone of voice, expression, etc.

Non-verbal cues communication

Norm-referenced test

objective What the student will be able to do or know at the end of the lesson. Must be measurable

observation The careful watching and recording of events or behavior for later reflection and analysis

Observation data Data collected by the teacher through careful watching and charting of specific student behavior.

Observable behavior Behaviors for objectives must be able o be seen or heard so that teachers can measure or assess how well an objective and/or task has been accomplished.

Organizational skills One factor in learning that involves categorizing and repetition by children

Overlapping or multi-tasking Doing more than one thing at a time. i.e. the teacher who is teaching one group but making eye contact with other students who are off task.

Over learning Practicing or learning a skill beyond mastery so that the material will remain in memory longer.

Parenting styles Four style of raising children have been identified: permissive rejecting-neglecting authoritarian authoritative

Pedagogy How to teach

Percentile rank Standardized scores that compare an individual with other test taker and report that he/she scored as well as or better than a certain percentage of the norm sample

Performance-based assessment An alternative assessment method based on a student’s performance of a skill based on a real-life situation

Peer teaching In teacher education classes it is where pre-service teachers practice teaching a lesson to one another in order to gain practice in teaching.

Peer tutoring Students in elementary through secondary schools are often asked to assist another student with a concept

Performance assessment Assessment that involves having students do activities that are real.

Physically challenged Those who possess some type of bodily condition that prevents them from performing certain actions such as walking, speaking and seeing.

Jean Piaget Theorist who created theory of development based on the observation of children

play Voluntary, meaningful action initiated by children where reality is suspended; in play, skills can be practiced, symbolism employed , rules followed in games.

Positive reinforcement The process of rewarding behaviors that are desirable .For example M & M’s or stars are given for good behavior

portfolio An authentic assessment tool used to assess student progress; consists of a collection of the student’s work.

prejudice The mindset and resulting action that consistently thrust negative response on a particular person or groups of people

Probing questions A follow up question used to encourage deeper thinking through elaboration, clarification, justification, etc.

Positive reinforcement The introduction of something disliked or distasteful to decrease a behavior.

Presentation punishment Solving a problem for which there is a procedure to follow that makes the answer readily available

Private speech Vygotsky’s term for young children’s talking themselves through tasks abound; this develops as we grow older into mentally talking ourselves through tasks.

Probing questions Questions that are asked after a student response in an effort to get the student to give additional information or to think at a deeper level. For example, “What makes you think that?”

Prompting questions Questions that guide students to a correct answer through the use of cues or prompts, especially after an incorrect response.

Public Law 94-142 Federal law requiring all schools receiving federal funds to provide an education in the least restrictive environment of all disabled students. This law was the beginning of special education as we know it today.

Pull out programs Programs that remove special needs children from the regular classroom for special instruction. For example, reading recovery is a pull-out program.

A report of exactly how many items were answered correctly on a test. Raw score A report of exactly how many items were answered correctly on a test.

The assessment of a student’s ability to complete tasks. Readiness The assessment of a student’s ability to complete tasks.

Reliability The consistency of test results over time. A reliable test is one that yields similar results time after time when administered to the same type or level of students and under the same conditions.

Reciprocal teaching Teaching strategy that teaches students to ‘think like a teacher’ Teachers model asking questions about material read. Then, the students take the role of the teacher and asks questions about the next section of the text to the teacher.

redirecting If a student fails to give a compete response, the teacher may ask another student, “Ben, what do you think?” This is redirecting.

Reflective listening The process of listening and summarizing a student's response to indicate it was heard and understood

remediation From the root word remedy, instruction designed to assist students who are having difficulty in school. Tutoring is one form of remediation.

reteach The process of teaching a lesson in a different way to students who do not master the original instructional objective.

The removal of something pleasurable in order to decrease a behavior Removal punishment The removal of something pleasurable in order to decrease a behavior

rehearsal The process of repeating information over and over to oneself to keep it in working memory

responsiveness Referring to a teacher, this means acknowledging differences in students experiences and prior knowledge and using these differences to respond with understanding.

Risk-free environment A place or situation in which one feels secure enough to take chance.

Role playing For a deeper understanding of a concept, the students act out roles. For example a student may role play a word problem in math.

Rote learning Memorizing information as opposed to learning it in ways that could be discussed or explained.

Routine problem solving Solving a problem for which there is a procedure to follow that makes the answer readily available.

rubric Guidelines for accomplishing a task and including examples of both good and poor results

More than one questions asked at a time. Run on questions More than one questions asked at a time.

scaffolding Strategies used to bridge gaps between what students know and new content that can be taught.

Scale score This is a statistical score which compares a score with a minimum passing standard based upon the difficulty of the test. (TAKS)

schema Building blocks of thought that enable us to understand our world and help guide our interactions with object and events according to Piaget.

How much or how deeply into a topic discussion will delve scope How much or how deeply into a topic discussion will delve

Self-directed learning The ability to learn something without direct instruction from a teacher. The goal of education is to prepare all students to become self-directed learners.

One’s perception of himself or herself Self-concept One’s perception of himself or herself

The belief that one is capable of accomplishing something Self efficacy The belief that one is capable of accomplishing something

How one feels about his or her perception of self Self-esteem How one feels about his or her perception of self

A process in which students reflect on their achievement and progress Self assessment A process in which students reflect on their achievement and progress

simulation An imitative representation of a system or situation. It allows students to participate in an activity without the risks. Often simulations involve role playing

Site-based decision making Brings the decision making to the school

Site-based management Decisions about the school are made by a committee at the school

Socioeconomic or social class status A composite of five equally weighed standardized components: father’s education, mother’s education, family income, father’s occupation and household items.

Social development Occurs as humans interact with others, although inherent personality traits may influence the nature of these interactions.

Social learning theory A theory of learning that emphasizes what we learn through observing the behavior of others in our environment.

Sponge activity An activity employed when children enter a room where the lesson will not begin for a moment.

spreadsheet An accounting program for a computer; also the ledger layout modeled by such a program.

The degree to which something is believed to be changeable or not. stability The degree to which something is believed to be changeable or not.

Standardized test Test developed by commercial publisher that compares students results to either a norming sample of individual (norm-referenced tests) or compares results to a set of criteria (criterion-referenced tests). The SAT is a norm-referenced and the TAKS and the TExES are criterion-referenced tests.

State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) The state agency responsible for the certification of Texas teachers

State Board of Education The elected group of people that approves all public school rules and regulations

State-wide initiative A program that is adopted for all schools in a state. The initiative is usually for remedial purposes and is funded by the state government.

stereotyping The assumption that certain beliefs based on skin color or other forms of physical, religious, or other cultural identifiers are true of all people of that type.

Stress factors Children may become anxious and nervous because of situations in their homes or community and because of this stress may have difficulties in learning.

Student-centered teacher The teaching style that Texas prefers to see its teachers use. Teachers employ a facilitating manner and constantly focus on the needs of the learners in every respect.

Summative assessment An assessment that is done after a lesson is taught. It is used to evaluate learning and to guide instruction and the curriculum

supervisor In public schools, each program, such as special education, has a person in charge of those programs in the district. They are usually situated at the central office and report to the superintendent.

Summative data Assessment data collected after instruction to evaluate a student’s mastery of the curriculum objectives and a teacher’s effectiveness at delivering instruction.

synthesis A cognitive process that is one form of higher level thinking. It involves putting ideas or pieces together to form a whole idea.

superintendent The chief educational leader in the local school district. Is employed by the local school board and has responsibility for the provision of quality educational offerings in the district in compliance with all laws, regulations and policies.

Task analysis Breaking a task into small sub-skills. i.e. prior to writing a research report, one might select a topic, formulate a question, read to find information, etc.

A system of classification. Taxonomy A system of classification.

Teacher-made tests Informal measures of student progress based on the objectives of the curriculum and classroom

Unplanned event that lends itself to teaching something to students Teachable moment Unplanned event that lends itself to teaching something to students

The fairness of the test Test bias The fairness of the test

Teacher certification A certification awarded to individual after completion of specific state requirements.

Teacher expectation A teacher’s belief about how successful a student will be in school. Texas teachers should have high expectations for all students in the class.

The manner in which a teacher presents instruction Teaching style The manner in which a teacher presents instruction

TAKS Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills State mandated assessment for ensuring school accountability for student achievement

TEKS Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills the curriculum set by the state as a guide for each grade level tested through the TAKS. (there are also guides for the lower grades)

TEA Texas Education Agency State agency responsible for overseeing public education in Texas

TEC Texas Education Code Statues passed by Texas Legislature in Senate Bill I in 1995 that governs Texas public schools.

Texas Learning Index (TLI) An index that is statistically figured to allow teachers to compare children’s performance across grade levels or years. i.e 3-68 would indicate that the child is at the third grade level however only scored positive at 68% of the material.

TExES Texas Examination of Educator Standards State licensing examination for new teachers or new teachers to Texas.

Thematic teaching Organizing instruction around a central theme such as ‘systems’ Often the instruction crosses between disciplines and is integrated thematic teaching. Often language arts, science, social studies, and math are integrated into a team of teachers that teach a central theme to a group of students.

Time-out Form of discipline that places a child away from the other students for a short amount of time.

Title I (formerly Chapter 1) Remedial program for poor and disadvantaged.

Title VI Civil rights Act Act which state that any school receiving federal funds may not discriminate against student on the basis of race, color or national origin.

Title VII Bilingual Education Act Provides funding for non-English-speaking students

Bars gender discrimination in schools receiving federal funds Title IX Bars gender discrimination in schools receiving federal funds

Moving from one activity or setting to another transition Moving from one activity or setting to another

Types of involvement Parents may participate in school involvements at one of six levels: basic obligations of parenting communications Volunteering Learning activities at home Decision making and advocacy Community collaboration

Group of lessons planned around a control topic Unit Group of lessons planned around a control topic

Unit Plan Written plan for teaching a unti. The plan usually looks at broad areas to be covered over a week or longer. It usually does not contain the daily lesson plans.

validity The truthfulness of the assessment information; does the score report really measure what it is purports to measure?

Value Centered education A teaching program that focuses on teaching values to students.

Value-centered education A teaching program that focuses on teaching values to students

Verbal reinforcement Using positive comments when students are doing something well. The idea is to use positive comments to cause a response to occur more often

Vicarious learning Learning that results from seeing someone else’s behavior rewarded or punished

Wait time A practice of a teacher waits for 5 -7 seconds after asking a question to allow all students to have time to think about the questions and formulate and answer.

Whole class discussion A discussion which involves all students I the class discussing a topic as opposed to discussion in small group.

Whole Language Approach Philosophical approach to teaching reading using complete texts rather than excerpts and having students respond in writing and through discussion to the text.

The teacher is aware of everything that is going on in the classroom With-it-ness The teacher is aware of everything that is going on in the classroom

Working memory A place where information is temporarily stored in our minds (usually about 20 seconds or less) – may also be called short term memory

Zone of proximal development (Vygotsky) The zone of proximal development is just a bit harder than what the child can do alone.

Thank you. Best of luck on your upcoming PPR test.