ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge Practice Exam

In a 4th grade science class, what is the best method for closing a lesson after conducting an experiment?

1. Have students read their results and answer questions on the lab worksheet

2. Explicitly teach the concepts that the experiment illustrated

3. Ask students to write in their science journals about what they learned

4. Discuss the experiment in broad terms without specific focus

The correct answer is: Explicitly teach the concepts that the experiment illustrated

Closing a lesson effectively, especially after conducting an experiment, is crucial for reinforcing students' understanding of the concepts learned. When explicitly teaching the concepts that the experiment illustrated, the teacher helps students connect their hands-on experience to the theoretical knowledge behind it. This method not only consolidates their learning but deepens their comprehension of scientific principles at play during the experiment. By focusing on explicitly teaching the related concepts, students are encouraged to articulate their understanding and integrate it into their broader knowledge base. This approach allows for clarification of misconceptions and the opportunity to address any questions that may arise from the experiment. In this context, while reviewing results or writing reflections might provide some insights into individual understanding, they do not offer the same level of direct instruction and conceptual clarity that an explicit teaching method provides. Discussing the experiment in broad terms without specific focus may lead to ambiguity, which might confuse rather than consolidate learning. Thus, emphasizing the underlying scientific concepts makes this method the most beneficial for solidifying students' learning experiences.