Praxis 5001 Elementary Mathematics Instruction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which approach to math instruction emphasizes students developing their own strategies before learning standard algorithms?
- Direct instruction only
- Constructivist or reform-based mathematics (Correct answer)
- Drill and memorization
- Textbook-driven instruction
Correct answer: Constructivist or reform-based mathematics
Constructivist math instruction values students building meaning through problem-solving and developing informal strategies before formalizing algorithms.
Question 2: A number line is used to show that -3 is to the LEFT of 0. This is an example of teaching which concept?
- Place value
- Absolute value
- Negative integers (Correct answer)
- Equivalent fractions
Correct answer: Negative integers
Placing negative numbers to the left of zero on a number line is a foundational representation for understanding negative integers.
Question 3: Which type of graph is most appropriate for showing how a student's height changed over several years?
- Pie chart
- Bar graph
- Line graph (Correct answer)
- Pictograph
Correct answer: Line graph
Line graphs are best for showing change over time because connected data points reveal trends and patterns across a continuous period.
Question 4: A student solves 8 ÷ 2 by thinking 'how many groups of 2 are in 8?' This reflects which division concept?
- Partitive division
- Measurement (quotitive) division (Correct answer)
- Long division algorithm
- Fact family division
Correct answer: Measurement (quotitive) division
Measurement (quotitive) division asks how many groups of a given size are in the total, as opposed to partitive division which distributes into a known number of groups.
Question 5: Which manipulative is most useful for helping students understand place value to the thousands?
- Fraction tiles
- Geoboards
- Base-ten blocks (Correct answer)
- Pattern blocks
Correct answer: Base-ten blocks
Base-ten blocks use unit cubes, rods, flats, and large cubes to physically represent ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands.
Question 6: When teaching elapsed time, a teacher has students use clocks to find how long it is from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM. What is the elapsed time?
- 2 hours 15 minutes
- 2 hours 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 2 hours 45 minutes
- 3 hours
Correct answer: 2 hours 30 minutes
From 9:15 to 11:15 is 2 hours, and from 11:15 to 11:45 is 30 more minutes, totaling 2 hours 30 minutes.
Praxis 5001 Elementary Mathematics Instruction 2
Which approach to math instruction emphasizes students developing their own strategies before learning standard algorithms?