NYSTCE ATAS NYSTCE Physical Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a volleyball unit, a student frequently throws the ball instead of hitting it. The MOST effective corrective approach by the teaching assistant is to:
- Remove the student from the drill
- Demonstrate the correct hand contact and provide guided practice (Correct answer)
- Tell the student to watch teammates and copy them
- Lower the net so the student can succeed without the correct technique
Correct answer: Demonstrate the correct hand contact and provide guided practice
Demonstrating correct technique combined with guided practice gives students clear models and immediate feedback.
Question 2: Which principle of motor learning is applied when a teaching assistant breaks a complex skill into smaller steps before combining them?
- Whole practice
- Part-to-whole instruction (Correct answer)
- Random practice
- Blocked repetition
Correct answer: Part-to-whole instruction
Part-to-whole instruction teaches components of a skill separately before integrating them, which supports learning of complex movements.
Question 3: A student with a physical disability uses a wheelchair. When adapting a basketball dribbling activity, the BEST modification is to:
- Excuse the student from the activity
- Allow the student to carry the ball on their lap while moving
- Only let the student watch and take notes
- Have the student practice stationary dribbling at a lower height (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Have the student practice stationary dribbling at a lower height
Stationary dribbling at an adapted height allows wheelchair users to develop ball-handling skills meaningfully.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the principle of 'overload' in physical fitness training?
- Performing exercise until exhaustion every session
- Gradually increasing exercise intensity, duration, or frequency to improve fitness (Correct answer)
- Alternating exercise days to prevent injury
- Performing the same workout indefinitely to maintain fitness
Correct answer: Gradually increasing exercise intensity, duration, or frequency to improve fitness
The overload principle states that the body must be challenged beyond its current capacity to achieve fitness gains.
Question 5: A teaching assistant is helping students understand the importance of warming up before exercise. Which explanation is MOST accurate?
- Warming up is mainly a tradition with no physiological benefit
- Warming up increases blood flow to muscles and reduces injury risk (Correct answer)
- Warming up is only necessary before competitive events
- Warming up should be skipped to save time for the main activity
Correct answer: Warming up increases blood flow to muscles and reduces injury risk
Warm-up activities gradually increase heart rate and circulation to muscles, preparing the body for vigorous activity and reducing injury risk.
Question 6: When a teaching assistant circulates during a station-based fitness class, their PRIMARY role is to:
- Compete with students to demonstrate fitness levels
- Monitor for safety, provide feedback, and keep students on task (Correct answer)
- Only help students who ask for assistance
- Manage equipment storage at the end of class
Correct answer: Monitor for safety, provide feedback, and keep students on task
Active supervision, feedback, and task management are core responsibilities during station-based activities.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a manipulative skill in physical education?
- Galloping across the gymnasium
- Throwing a ball at a target (Correct answer)
- Balancing on one foot
- Running a timed mile
Correct answer: Throwing a ball at a target
Manipulative skills involve controlling objects with body parts, such as throwing, catching, kicking, or striking.
NYSTCE ATAS NYSTCE Physical Education 3
During a volleyball unit, a student frequently throws the ball instead of hitting it.
The MOST effective corrective approach by the teaching assistant is to: