- pacing guide
- A written schedule displaying the alignment of concepts, topics, and skills related to a particular curriculum to be addressed over a defined period of time.
- Paideia
- According to the National Paideia Institute, Paideia (py-dee-a) is from the Greek pais, paidos, which means the upbringing of a child. The Paideia philosophy “celebrates the fundamental notion that to be fully educated is a lifelong adventure that only begins with an individual's formal schooling.”
- pathfinder
- A list of resources, both print and web-based, about a particular subject area.
- pattern blocks
- Multicolored two-dimensional blocks that come in shapes (for example hexagon, square, trapezoid, triangle, parallelogram, and rhombi), with each shape made of only one color. Pattern blocks are useful in demonstrating patterns and geometric concepts.
- pedagogy
- The art and science of teaching. Pedagogy is concerned with the contexts of learning and methods of instruction, and can be evaluated on a scale ranging from teacher-centered (for example, direct instruction) to student-centered (for example, constructivist teaching, inquiry) models.
- peer tutoring
- Practice of one student being assigned to help another student with a particular subject or assignment.
- performance assessment
- Assessment that measures student performance on concrete tasks or activities as opposed to standardized multiple-choice tests. Students are expected to apply a range of skills and knowledge to solve a problem. Assessment is based not only on the results of the task but also on the processes of task performance.
- performance criteria
- A description of the characteristics or dimensions used to judge the quality of student work. Criteria are the guidelines or rules that outline for students what will be assessed on a given task.
- personal growth plan
- Teacher description of goals set for personal professional growth, including both long- and short-term goals. Many states provide a template for organizing growth plans, often aligned to professional standards (for example, INTASC or school improvement plans). Teachers select professional development, in-service, and continuing education opportunities to help them achieve personal growth goals.
- perspective-based assignments
- Lessons in which students approach a topic from the perspective of a real-world professional. This approach offers students a constant reminder of the relevance of curriculum objectives.
- Pervasive development disorder
- Children with this disorder lack socialization, communication, and other developmental skills. Five pervasive development disorders are autism, Apserger's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Rett's Syndrome, and Pervasive Development Disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
- phonemic awareness
- Understanding that words are made up of individual sounds (that is, phonemes, the smallest units of sound), with a focus on the structure rather than meaning of words. Phonemic awareness is understood as a critical component of reading success.
- phonics
- The study of letter-sound relationships in reading and spelling. Phonics is used to teach letter-sound relationships to beginning readers by having them sound out words.
- phonological awareness
- See phonemic awareness.
- picture dictionary
- Learning tool that matches vocabulary words with visual images.
- portfolio
- A purposeful selection of student work that that showcases a variety of assignments, including written work, projects, artwork and reports. A portfolio is designed to demonstrate students' efforts and reflect progress over a period of time.
- portfolio assessment
- Assessment that is based on a collection of student work (see portfolio), measuring student progress in a variety of skills in one class or over the course of a school year.
- positive behavior interventions and supports
- A three-tiered approach to the prevention of behavior problems in schools. PBIS focuses on prevention rather than punishment, and emphasizes establishing and communicating expectations as a way to develop social competence and academic achievement.
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- Response to a traumatic event (such as abuse, a car accident, or a natural disaster); may include fear, anger, sadness, denial, and re-experiencing the event.
- primary source
- Original record or account of an event or topic that provides firsthand information. A primary source reflects the individual viewpoint of someone who observed or participated in the event or topic.
- problem centered mathematics
- Student-centered mathematics instruction that uses problem solving as a means to discovery of mathematical procedures and emphasizes real-world applications to mathematical concepts.
- problem solving
- A method of learning in which students work to understand a problem, create and carry out a plan of action, and review, discuss and evaluate processes for problem resolution.
- problem-based assessment
- Based on a problem-solving or problem-posing educational model, problem-based assessment involves the presentation of a problem the student must solve.
- problem-based learning
- Model of instruction in which the teacher poses an authentic problem for student resolution. PBL may be one among many strategies in a classroom or an entire curricular and instructional approach. In the course of problem-solving, students work cooperatively in groups to learn content and skills related to real world problems. The teacher acts as a facilitator to learning.
- professional development
- Educational opportunities for school teachers and administrative personnel with goals of personal and professional growth, and school improvement. Professional development is often called staff development.
- proficiency
- Minimum achievement required to demonstrate content mastery in a given subject area or at a given grade level.
- project-based learning
- Teaching approach that engages students in sustained, collaborative real-world investigations. Projects are organized around a driving question, and students participate in a variety of tasks that seek to meaningfully address this question.
- pull-out
- Removing a student from a regular classroom for remedial or advanced coursework.
K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education
