VRA Exam for Elementary and Special Education Teachers, Part 13
Question 1: Describe how flexible groupings can be used to address the changing needs of students.
Answer 1: Different groupings can help with students’ changing needs. Common groupings include grouping students by number and by ability. Small groups, consisting of four people, create good interaction among students, allowing everyone to get information from each person. Large groups of six to eight students allow different students to do different tasks for the same project. Grouping students with similar skills encourages those who may feel embarrassed by knowing less than other children. Finally, grouping students of different skills allows them to help one another. Better students develop more confidence while students with difficulties get help without being “exposed” to the entire class.
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Question 2: Describe mingle activities.
Answer 2: Mingle activities allow students to interact with the entire class without being “exposed” to the entire class at one time. These activities involve students interacting with many different members of the class within a short time to accomplish the same task. By doing this, students will interact with others at different levels, both stronger and weaker. An example of a mingle activity is the “find someone who…” activity. Students go around the room with questions, finding someone who can give them an answer. If the student says “yes,” then they ask for more information. If the answer is “no,” then the student moves on to find someone else.
Question 3: Describe how oral reading time can be used to improve listening skills.
Answer 3: Oral reading time, or “story time,” can be a great way to improve students’ listening skills. Select an appropriate text or story for the children’s grade level. Before you read it to them, tell them they will be asked to give a summary of the story when you are finished. In order to do so, they will have to apply top-down strategies by listening for the main idea and details used to summarize information. You can also use this to teach bottom-up strategies. Repeat the story again, but before you do, ask them questions concerning specific details. This time when they listen, they will have to use bottom-up strategies in order to hear and remember the specifics. With practice, the students will eventually learn to use both strategies at the same time, thus improving their listening skills dramatically.
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