TExES Generalist EC-6 (191) - The Best Teachers' Test Prep for the TX TExES Generalist EC-6 (191)

by Luis A. Rosado

Overview

It’s time to make your way to the head of the class. 
 
REA’s New TExES Generalist EC-6 Test Prep Helps Texas Teachers Get Certified!  
 
REA’s new TExES Generalist Early Childhood to Grade 6 test prep is designed to help teacher candidates pass the TExES Generalist EC-6 (191) exam and start teaching!  
 
Our test prep is perfect for teacher candidates, students, out-of-state teachers, and career-changing professionals who are looking to teach Early Childhood to Grade 6 classes in the state of Texas. 
 
Completely aligned with the NEW TExES Generalist EC-6 (191) exam, our test prep targets exactly what you need to know to excel on the test. A comprehensive review guides prospective Early Childhood to Grade 6 teachers through all the content topics tested, including: English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education. 
 
The book includes two full-length multiple-choice practice tests that cover everything tested on the official exam, so you can study with confidence. Detailed explanations of answers help teacher candidates identify their strengths and weaknesses while reinforcing their skills and testing their teaching knowledge.
 
The test prep comes complete with a customized study schedule and REA’s test-taking strategies and tips. As an added bonus, a diagnostic exam is available online at www.rea.com/texes 
 
This book is a must for anyone seeking certification as an EC-6 teacher in Texas! 
 
REA books and software have proven to be the extra support teacher candidates need to pass their challenging test for state licensure. Our comprehensive test preps are teacher-recommended and written by experts in the field.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738606866
Publisher:	Research & Education Association
Publication date:	12/09/2009
Series:	TExES Teacher Certification Test Prep Series
Edition description:	First
Pages:	608
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.60(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

About the Author

Dr. Luis A. Rosado is the director of the Center for Bilingual and ESL Education and professor in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington. He holds degrees from the University of Puerto Rico, Boston State College, and Texas A&M University–Kingsville. He has published in the areas of pedagogy and professional responsibilities, parental involvement, cross-cultural communication, and Spanish linguistics and Spanish for bilingual teachers. Dr. Rosado has over 25 years of teaching experience at the elementary, high school, and college levels. He has taught in Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, and Texas.
 

 
About the Contributing Authors

English Language Arts and Reading
Dr. Carla Amaro-Jiménez is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Bilingual/ESL Education at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). She holds degrees from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and the University of Cincinnati. Prior to coming to UTA, she taught in bilingual and dual language early childhood classrooms both in Costa Rica and Ohio. Her research interests include pre- and in-service teacher preparation for culturally and linguistically diverse environments, equity issues related to the schooling (instruction, learning and assessment) of Latino English language learners, and implementation of technology for content-based second language learning and teaching.

 
Dr. Peggy Semingson is an Assistant Professor of Literacy Studies in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Texas State University, San Marcos, and the University of California, Santa Barbara. She taught bilingual students for eight years in both Southern California and Texas. She has taught fifth grade, third grade, and was a bilingual reading specialist. Dr. Semingson presents at local, state, and national conferences on topics that include: literacy learning, bilingual best practices, and parental involvement.

 
Mathematics
Dr. Dora Salazar is the Assistant Director of the Center for Research in Leadership and Education, Program Director of Project TEACH, and Assistant Professor in the College of Education at Texas Tech University. She holds degrees from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Salazar has held university faculty appointments at Texas Woman’s University and the University of Texas—Pan American. Her research interests include online teacher preparation program models, and certification issues regarding out-of-state and foreign credential teachers. Dr. Salazar has received several grants to prepare bilingual and ESL teachers in Texas. Dr. Salazar has a combined 20 years of teaching experience in bilingual classrooms and at the college level.

 
Mr. Jason L. Wardlaw is a Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering at Texas A&M University-
College Station. He holds degrees from Tarrant County College and Texas A&M University-College Station. Mr. Wardlaw has been a Teaching Assistant and Assistant Lecturer for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University from 2005-2008. During the 2008–2009 academic year, he was involved in a National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 program for enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) awareness in rural middle school classes.
 
Social Studies
Dr. Annette Torres Elías is an Assistant Professor of Bilingual/ESL Education at the Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. Dr. Torres Elías holds degrees from the University of Puerto Rico and Texas Woman’s University. She has over 15 years of experience as an educator serving students, parents, and educators as a Bilingual/ESL teacher, Bilingual/ESL PK-12th district coordinator, early literacy program coordinator, and university instructor. She is interested in issues dealing with Bilingual/ESL education, teacher preparation, professional development, language acquisition, and early literacy.

Science
Dr. Ann Cavallo is a Professor and Associate Dean of Teacher of Education at the University
of Texas at Arlington, and Director of science education programs in the College of Education. She holds degrees from Niagara University and Syracuse University. She taught middle and high school science prior to earning her graduate degrees. She has held university faculty appointments at the University of Oklahoma, the University of California-Davis, and Wayne State University. Dr. Cavallo has over 30 publications in internationally and nationally refereed journals, a book and several book chapters. Dr. Cavallo has made over 60 presentations at professional conferences, and has secured more than $3 million in grants to support her work.

 
Dr. Patricia A. Gómez is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education Department of Bilingual Education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She holds degrees from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville. She has published in the areas of dual literacy instruction, dual language program implementation and science education for English language learners. Dr. Gómez has over 20 years of teaching experience at the elementary, high school, and college levels. She has taught in Spain and Texas.

 
Visual Arts
Dr. Jill Fox is an Associate Professor and Director of the EC-6 program in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Arlington. She holds degrees from Western Kentucky University, Texas Woman’s University and University of North Texas. Prior to coming to the University of Texas at Arlington, Dr. Fox held university a faculty appointments at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has to her credit several journal articles, books and book chapters at the national and international levels. Her research interests include visual art and young children, program development and school-university partnerships. Dr. Fox has been a teacher educator in both Virginia and Texas.
 

Music
Dr. Diane Lange is an Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of Music Education at The University of Texas at Arlington where she oversees the music education area and teaches courses in Early Childhood and Elementary Music Education. She holds degrees from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. She has published the book Together in Harmony: Combining Orff Schulwerk and Music Learning Theory, a chapter on combining Music Learning Theory and Orff Schulwerk that appeared in Music Learning Theory: Theory in Practice and several articles in General Music Today. Also, she is a co-author for Jump Right in: the Elementary Music Curriculum, Grades Kindergarten and 5. Dr. Lange has taught elementary and college music for over twenty
years in Michigan, Nevada, and Texas.
 
Health and Physical Education
Dr. Larry P. Nelson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and the All-Level Teacher Certification Program Director in the Department of Kinesiology. He holds degrees from Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado. He has published in the areas of Physical Education Teacher Effi cacy, Program Measurement and Evaluation, Resiliency Profiling, and Service-Learning. In his 13 years of service, Dr. Nelson has procured over $350,000 of grants and contracts, and has won numerous teaching awards.

Read an Excerpt

Introduction

About This Book

REA’s The Best Teachers’ Preparation for the TExES 191 Generalist EC–6 is a comprehensive
guide designed to assist you in passing the TExES 191 Generalist EC–6 test and thus giving you a springboard to being certified to teach in Texas. To enhance your chances of success in this important step toward your career as a teacher in Texas schools, this test guide:

• Presents an accurate and complete overview of the TExES 191 Generalist EC–6 examination.
• Identifies all of the important information and its representation on the exam.
• Provides a comprehensive review of every domain.
• Presents sample questions in the actual test format.
• Provides diagnostic tools to identify areas of strength and weakness.
• Provides a diagnostic test and two full-length practice tests based on the most recently administered TExES.
• Replicates the format of the official exam, including level of difficulty.
• Supplies the correct answer and detailed explanations for each question on the practice test, which enables you to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.

 
This guide is the result of analyses of multiple resources. The editors considered the most recent test administrations and professional standards. They also researched information from the Texas Education Agency, professional journals, textbooks, and educators. This guide includes the best test preparation materials based on the latest information available.

 
About the Test
Below are the domains used as the basis for the TExES 191 Generalist EC–6 examination, as well as the percentage of the total test that each domain occupies. These domains and the competencies rooted in them represent the knowledge that teams of teachers, subject area specialists, and district-level educators have determined to be important for  beginning teachers.

 
Domain                                                       Percentage
1. English Language Arts and Reading           32%
2. Mathematics                                             19%
3. Social Studies                                           19%
4. Science                                                     18%
5. Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education  12%

Format of the TExES
The TExES 191 Generalist EC–6 test includes 125 scorable multiple-choice items and approximately 15 non-scorable items used for field testing. Your final scaled score will be based only on scorable items. Do not leave any item unanswered, since you are not penalized for guessing. All multiple-choice questions are designed to assess your knowledge of the domains and related skills mentioned above and reviewed in this book. In general, the multiple-choice questions are intended to make you think logically. You are expected in most cases to demonstrate more than an ability to recall factual information; you may be asked to think critically about the information, analyze it, consider it carefully, compare it with knowledge you have, or make a judgment about it.

 
Answering the multiple-choice questions is straightforward. You will have four choices labeled A, B, C, and D. You must mark your choice on a separate answer sheet, or, on the computer-based version, directly below each test item. You should have plenty of time in which to complete the test, but be aware of the amount of time you are spending on each question so that you allow yourself time to complete the whole test. Although speed is not very important, a steady pace should be maintained when answering questions. Using the practice tests will help you prepare for this task.

 
When Should the TExES Be Taken?
Traditionally, teacher preparation programs determine when their candidates take the various tests required for teacher certification. These programs will also clear you to take the examinations and make final recommendations for certification to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). For those seeking certification right out of school, the test is generally taken just before graduation.
 
Taking all TExES examinations is a requirement to teach in Texas, so if you are planning on being an educator, you must take and pass these tests. The TExES is available in paper-based or computer-based formats. The former is usually administered five times a year at several locations throughout Texas. The usual testing day is Saturday, but the test may be taken on an alternate day if a conflict, such as a religious obligation, exists. The computer-based examinations are also available several times a year at specific locations.

The TExES Registration Bulletin offers information about test dates and locations, as well as registration information and how to make testing accommodations for those with special needs. The registration bulletin is available at http://texes.ets.org/registrationBulletin/

Registration bulletins are also available at the education departments of Texas colleges and universities. To address issues that cannot be solved at the teacher preparation program level, you can contact the offices of SBEC at [phone] or [phone]. You can also find information about the test and registration on the SBEC website at http://texes.ets.org.

 
 

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction
About This Book 
About the Test 
How to Use This Book 
TExES 191 Generalist EC-6 Study Schedule 
About the Review Sections 
Scoring the TExES 191 Generalist EC-6 
Test-Taking Tips 
The Day of the Test 

Chapter 1 (Domain I): English Language Arts and Reading 
Competency 001 (Oral Language) 
Competency 002 (Phonological and Phonemic Awareness) 
Competency 003 (Alphabetic Principle) 
Competency 004 (Literacy Development and Practice) 
Competency 005 (Word Analysis and Decoding) 
Competency 006 (Reading Fluency) 
Competency 007 (Reading Comprehension) 
Competency 008 (Reading, Research, and Inquiry Skills) 
Competency 009 (Writing Conventions) 
Competency 010 (Development of Written Communication) 
Competency 011 (Viewing and Representing) 
Competency 012 (Assessment of Developing Literacy) 

Chapter 2 (Domain II): Mathematics 
Competency 013 (Mathematics Instruction) 
Competency 014 (Number Concepts and Operations) 
Competency 015 (Patterns and Algebra) 
Competency 016 (Geometry and Measurement) 
Competency 017 (Probability and Statistics) 
Competency 018 (Mathematical Processes)
 
Chapter 3 (Domain III): Social Studies 
Competency 019 (Social Science Instruction) 
Competency 020 (History) 
Competency 021 (Geography and Culture) 
Competency 022 (Economics) 
Competency 023 (Government and Citizenship) 

Chapter 4 (Domain IV): Science 
Competency 024 (Safe and Proper Laboratory Processes) 
Competency 025 (Scientifi c Inquiry) 
Competency 026 (Impact on Daily Life/Environment) 
Competency 027 (Unifying Concepts and Processes in Science) 
Competency 028 (Theory and Practice of Teaching Science) 
Competency 029 (Assessments in Science Learning) 
Competency 030 (Physical Science) 
Competency 031 (Physical Science) 
Competency 032 (Physical Science) 
Competency 033 (Physical Science) 
Competency 034 (Life Science) 
Competency 035 (Life Science) 
Competency 036 (Life Science) 
Competency 037 (Life Science) 
Competency 038 (Earth and Space Science) 
Competency 039 (Earth and Space Science) 
Competency 040 (Earth and Space Science) 
Competency 041 (Earth and Space Science) 

Chapter 5 (Domain V): Fine Arts and Music 
Competency 042 (Visual Arts) 
Competency 043 (Music) 

Chapter 6 (Domain V continued): Health and Physical Education 
Competency 044 (Health) 
Competency 045 (Physical Education) 

Diagnostic Test 
Detailed Explanations of Answers 
Practice Test 1 
Detailed Explanations of Answers 
Practice Test 2  
Detailed Explanations of Answers 
Index