View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What, as suggested by Ayers, is a matter of solidarity between subjects and human beings?

2. What type of school grew out of the civil rights struggle?

3. As suggested in Chapter 6, "Keeping Track," who requires standardized tests to comply with state law?

4. In Chapter 4, "Building Bridges," what instrument did Bear play?

5. What do educators become when "talk turned to skills" according to Ayers?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ayers say greatness in teaching requires?

2. In Chapter 4, "Building Bridges," what did the second grade newsletter contain?

3. According to Ayers, what are good schools?

4. What can't standardized tests measure?

5. In Chapter 7, "The Mystery of Teaching," what problems occurred when teachers tried to implement a new idea every day?

6. What are some ways that teachers can keep track of student achievement according to Ayers?

7. What did Ayers mean when he linked "consciousness to conduct"?

8. What does Ayers believe the fundamental curriculum question is?

9. What were Ayers's feelings during the Illinois Teachers Basic Skills Test?

10. According to Ayers, what is one argument that supported proponents of phonics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

According to Ayers, standardized testing measured only one small part of a child. Standardized testing was biased and expensive.

Part 1) What alternatives to standardized testing did Ayers propose?

Part 2) Describe the approach these alternatives took toward the education process.

Essay Topic 2

Ayers had several core beliefs about learning and the purpose of school which influenced his classroom environment.

Part 1) Discuss Ayers beliefs on human development and constructing knowledge.

Part 2) Explain Ayers beliefs on the purpose of school and the responsibility of teachers and students.

Essay Topic 3

Any profession has obstacles.

Part 1) Discuss the obstacles to teaching that Ayers addressed in the book.

Part 2) How do teachers overcome these obstacles according to Ayers?

Part 3) Ayers suggests various school models on how to overcome several obstacles to teaching. Which school model seems to work best in overcoming these obstacles?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 598 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample