ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge Practice Exam

Why is it important to ask students to focus on their deeper breathing at the start of a lesson?

1. To help them relax

2. To engage them actively with the topic

3. To ensure they understand breathing mechanics

4. To prepare them for physical activity

The correct answer is: To engage them actively with the topic

While it is valuable to engage students actively with the topic, focusing on deeper breathing at the start of a lesson primarily serves to help them relax. Taking time to concentrate on their breathing can create a calming effect, which in turn fosters a conducive learning environment. When students are relaxed, they are often more open to absorbing new information and participating in discussions. This practice can reduce anxiety or stress, allowing students to transition into a learning mode more effectively. Although engaging them actively and understanding breathing mechanics could be important in specific contexts, those aspects do not capture the broader purpose of using breath focus as a foundational tool at the beginning of a lesson. Preparing students for physical activity may be relevant in some classes but does not generally apply across varied lesson contexts. Thus, the primary goal of encouraging deeper breathing is to help students feel more at ease, creating a better environment for learning.