Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

During a moon study, which question would be most appropriate for a teacher to ask her kindergarten class?

1. Do you think the moon is larger or smaller than Earth?

2. What do you think the moon will look like tomorrow night?

3. Where do you think the moon came from?

4. What other things would you like to know about the moon?

The correct answer is: What do you think the moon will look like tomorrow night?

The question about what the moon will look like tomorrow night is appropriate for a kindergarten class because it encourages imaginative thinking and observation skills. Young children often think about the world around them in concrete ways, and asking them to predict or visualize the moon's appearance fosters their curiosity and engagement with the subject. This type of question also invites personal reflection and allows children to draw on their previous experiences or knowledge of lunar phases, which can lead to a productive discussion. It connects their existing understanding of the moon with an inquiry-based approach, promoting hands-on learning. By contrast, some other options might be too abstract or complex for young learners. For instance, asking whether the moon is larger or smaller than Earth could confuse them because such comparisons may exceed the cognitive level typical of kindergarten students. Similarly, querying about the moon's origin may prompt answers based on imagination rather than factual understanding, which may not facilitate deep learning. Inviting children to share what they would like to know encourages exploration but may not directly engage them with elements of observation or prediction linked to immediate experiences with the moon.