FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What must a teacher ensure when planning a unit?

1. Lessons are randomized for excitement

2. Each lesson is completely independent

3. Lessons activate prior knowledge and ensure coherence

4. All lessons feature the same teaching style

The correct answer is: Lessons activate prior knowledge and ensure coherence

When planning a unit, a teacher must focus on activating prior knowledge and ensuring coherence among lessons. This approach enhances student understanding and retention of concepts by linking new information to what students already know, thereby creating a solid foundation for learning. Coherence in a unit means that lessons are structured to build upon each other, promoting a logical flow and progression of ideas, which is crucial for deeper learning. When lessons are interconnected, students can see the relationships between different concepts, making the learning experience more meaningful and effective. This strategy not only engages students but also fosters a richer educational environment where they can connect ideas and apply their knowledge in a variety of contexts. In contrast, presenting lessons that are randomized or completely independent may lead to a disjointed learning experience, where students struggle to see the overall connections. Similarly, having all lessons feature the same teaching style could limit engagement and fail to address the diverse learning needs of students. Therefore, ensuring that lessons activate prior knowledge and maintain coherence is essential for effective unit planning.