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The ATS-W prompt currently has four important
areas on which to focus:
- An
opening statement;
- A
goal statement;
- Sample
goals;
- And
Writing Instructions
Below, we have recreated sample essay
prompts for review. If you want to add to our list,
please email us.
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To jump ahead, please click on the sample
number you wish to review.
Sample 1
It is important for teachers to be able foster an
appreciation of literature in their students. Imagine
that the educational goal below, formulated by a
joint committee of teachers, administrators, and
parents/guardians, has been established for your
school. |
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 3: Students will continue to develop
an appreciation for literature.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students will identify
and be able to emulate various literary forms
(poetry, plays, biographies, folktales, myths)
in their own writing.
- Students will explain
the elements of a story (plot, characters, setting)
that contribute to the emotional impact the
story has on them.
- Students will be able
to predict and analyze the plot lines in a story.
- Students will respond
to literature from a variety of cultures through
such means as response journals, illustrations
and role playing.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying
a grade level/subject area for which you are prepared
to teach, then:
- Explain the importance
of helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving
this educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade
level/subject area in your essay, and frame your
ideas so that an educator certified at your level
(i.e. elementary or secondary) will be able to understand
the basis for your response. |
Sample 2
It is important for teachers to be able foster an awareness
of different cultural groups in their students. Imagine
that the educational goal below, formulated by a joint
committee of teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians,
has been established for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 5: Students will develop an appreciation of the
positive contributions of all cultures to the school
community and to the neighborhood in which they live.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students will acknowledge
the richness of their language, background, and
culture, as well as those of their peers.
- Students will develop mutual
respect and acceptance of cultural differences through
appropriate work/play experiences.
- Students will use the family
and community as ongoing, important resources for
extending their understanding of languages and cultures.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain
the importance of helping students develop this
goal;
- Describe
two strategies you would use to achieve this educational
goal; and
- Explain
why the strategies you describe would be effective
in achieving this educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade level/subject
area in your essay, and frame your ideas so that an
educator certified at your level (i.e. elementary or
secondary) will be able to understand the basis for
your response. |
Sample 3
It is important for teachers to be able to foster an
awareness of numbers, numeration and number sense in
their students. Imagine that the educational goal below,
formulated by a joint committee of teachers, administrators,
and parents/guardians, has been established for your
school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 10: Students will construct number meanings and
develop number sense for the purpose of linking mathematics
to real life situations in our culturally diverse
society.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students will identify numerical
information within a picture or word
problem.
- Students will develop number
questions based on daily life experiences. (e.g.,
questions about attendance, temperature, cost of
items in a store).
- Students will translate
word problems into number sentences.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade level/subject
area in your essay, and frame your ideas so that an
educator certified at your level (i.e. elementary or
secondary) will be able to understand the basis for
your response. |
Sample 4
It is important for teachers to be able to foster an
understanding of space and spatial relationships in
their students. Imagine that the educational goal below,
formulated by a joint committee of teachers, administrators,
and parents/guardians, has been established for your
school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 10: Students will learn to use maps, globes,
charts and other graphic and pictorial material for
the purpose of understanding physical and spatial
characteristics.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students will learn to
interpret pictorial and/or abstract symbols in maps,
globes and charts and identify them with what they
represent in the actual world.
- Students will learn to calculate
distances based on the scale a map
uses.
- Students will learn to
identify distant countries and their own country
by their physical and/or geographical characteristics.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State educators,
frame your response by identifying a grade level/subject
area for which you are prepared to teach, then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade level/subject
area in your essay, and frame your ideas so that an
educator certified at your level (i.e. elementary or
secondary) will be able to understand the basis for
your response. |
Sample 5
It is important for teachers to be able to assess the
needs and understanding of their students. Imagine that
the educational goal below, formulated by a joint committee
of teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians,
has been established for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 13: Students will be assessed in a variety of
ways in order to ensure that their needs are being
met and that they are internalizing classroom instruction
in a meaningful manner.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students' learning styles
and preferences will be assessed in order to plan
appropriate learning activities that will keep them
motivated and interested in the learning process.
- Students' understanding
of important topics will be formally and informally
evaluated in order to assure that students have
mastered the material before moving on.
- Students will be encouraged
to participate in the assessment process by self-evaluating
their progress in a particular area (i.e. math,
reading, writing).
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In an essay written for a group of New York State educators,
frame your response by identifying a grade level/subject
area for which you are prepared to teach, then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade level/subject
area in your essay, and frame your ideas so that an
educator certified at your level (i.e. elementary or
secondary) will be able to understand the basis for
your response. |
Sample 6
It is important for students to be able to understand
and apply scientific concepts. Imagine that the educational
goal below, formulated by a joint committee of teachers,
administrators, and parents/guardians, has been established
for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 14: Students will both understand and apply scientific
concepts that pertain to the physical landscape and
living environment.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
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Students will be able to explain everyday occurrences
using scientific concepts, principles and theory.
(e.g. boiling water)
- Students
will employ the method of scientific observation
and inquiry to come up with theories and/or hypotheses
of their own.
- Students
will be able to understand how ideas in science
have historically developed.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade
level/subject area in your essay, and frame your ideas
so that an educator certified at your level (i.e.
elementary or secondary) will be able to understand
the basis for your response.
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Sample 7
It is important for students to be able to use writing
in all aspects of the curriculum. Imagine that the educational
goal below, formulated by a joint committee of teachers,
administrators, and parents/guardians, has been established
for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 15: Students will develop their writing capabilities
by using them throughout the curriculum.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students will use different
literary genres (e.g. short story, poem, essay)
to express their perspectives and opinions on a
variety of social and personal issues.
- Students will use forms
of writing that will allow them to explore and come
to a deeper understanding of material being learned
in specific content areas (e.g. science, social
studies).
- Students will learn to write
for the purpose of critically analyzing and evaluating
literature and the validity of other writers' opinions.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade
level/subject area in your essay, and frame your ideas
so that an educator certified at your level (i.e.
elementary or secondary) will be able to understand
the basis for your response.
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Sample 8
It is important for Limited English Proficient students
to have relevant classroom experiences. Imagine that
the educational goal below, formulated by a joint committee
of teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians,
has been established for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 16: Provide students who are English Language
Learners with effective learning experiences in a
regular education classroom.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Work with others inside
and outside the school to facilitate the English
language acquisition of students that are English
Language Learners.
- Individualize instruction
to promote learning and English language development
for students that are English Language Learners.
- Implement procedures
to ensure that students that are English Language
Learners participate to the
greatest extent possible in all classroom activities.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade
level/subject area in your essay, and frame your ideas
so that an educator certified at your level (i.e.
elementary or secondary) will be able to understand
the basis for your response.
|
Sample 9
It is important for students to be able to have an understanding
of the world in which they live. Imagine that the educational
goal below, formulated by a joint committee of teachers,
administrators, and parents/guardians, has been established
for your school.
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GOALS FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
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Goal 17: Provide students with an understanding of
the social world in which they live and how it got
that way.
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Examples Of Teaching Objectives: |
- Students
will learn about the history, geography and culture
of the United States and/or the world at
large.
- Students
will learn about their neighborhood, community and
home state; how people live and work there; how
they meet their basic needs of life; how they interact
and depend on each other.
- Students
will learn about basic human institutions found
all throughout the world, such as family, education
and the economy.
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In an essay written for a group of New York State
educators, frame your response by identifying a grade
level/subject area for which you are prepared to teach,
then:
- Explain the importance of
helping students develop this goal;
- Describe two strategies
you would use to achieve this educational goal;
and
- Explain why the strategies
you describe would be effective in achieving this
educational goal.
Be sure to specify a grade
level/subject area in your essay, and frame your ideas
so that an educator certified at your level (i.e.
elementary or secondary) will be able to understand
the basis for your response.
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*Samples
adopted by Martha Rosas and developed by and courtesy of
NYSTCE.
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