Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Primary Education (PK–5) (OAE 057) Practice Exam

What strategy should a teacher use to redirect off-task students during an assignment?

1. Pointing to the assignment objective on the board.

2. Walking to focused groups and inquiring about their work.

3. Stepping closer and making eye contact with each student.

4. Gently tapping a student and signaling for quiet.

The correct answer is: Stepping closer and making eye contact with each student.

Stepping closer and making eye contact with each student is a highly effective strategy for redirecting off-task students during an assignment. This approach utilizes non-verbal communication to regain students' attention. Proximity can create a subtle reminder that the teacher is present and attentive to their behavior. Eye contact is an important component because it fosters a connection between the teacher and the students, making them feel acknowledged while encouraging them to refocus on their work. This method also reduces the likelihood of disrupting the flow of the classroom compared to other strategies, as it allows the teacher to address off-task behavior in a more personal, less confrontational manner. By moving closer and establishing eye contact, the teacher can gauge each student's engagement and provide implicit cues to get back on track without being overly disruptive to the learning environment.