TIMSS Teacher Quesitonnaire - Grade 4

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TIMSS 2011

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Teacher
Questionnaire
Grade 4
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

© IEA, 2011
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
information collection is 1850-0645. Approval expires XX/XX/2011. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions,
search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving
the survey instrument, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual response to this survey, write
directly to: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, N.W., Room 9034, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Teacher Questionnaire
Your school has agreed to participate in TIMSS 2011

NCES is authorized to collect information from the

(Trends in International Mathematics and Science

questionnaire under the Education Sciences Reform

Study), an educational research project sponsored

Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-279, Section 153). You

by the International Association for the Evaluation of

do not have to provide the information requested.

Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS measures trends

However, the information you provide will help the

in student achievement in mathematics and science

U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to

and studies differences in national education systems

understand better how the educational system in the

in more than 60 countries in order to help improve

United States compares to that in other countries.

teaching and learning worldwide.

There are no penalties should you choose not to

This questionnaire is addressed to teachers of

participate in this study. Your answers may be used only

fourth-grade students, and seeks information about

for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or

teachers’ academic and professional backgrounds,

used, in identifiable form for any other purpose (Public

classroom resources, instructional practices, and

Law 107-279, Section 183 and Title V, subtitle A of the

attitudes toward teaching. Since your class has been

E-Government Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-347)). Your response

selected as part of a nationwide sample, your responses

will be combined with those from other participants to

are very important in helping to describe fourth-grade

produce summary statistics and reports.

education in the United States.
Some of the questions in the questionnaire refer to

This survey is estimated to take an average of 30
minutes, including time for reviewing instructions,

the “TIMSS class” or “this class”. This is the class that is

and completing and reviewing the collection of

identified on the front of this booklet, and which will

information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,

be tested as part of TIMSS in your school. If you teach

and a person is not required to respond to, a collection

some but not all of the students in the TIMSS class,

of information unless it displays a currently valid

please think only of the students that you teach when

OMB control number. Send comments regarding this

answering these class-specific questions. It is important

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

that you answer each question carefully so that the

of information, including suggestions for reducing

information that you provide reflects your situation as

this burden, to: Stephen Provasnik, National Center

accurately as possible.

for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education,

Since TIMSS is an international study and all
countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

1990 K Street NW, Room 9034, Washington, DC 200065650. Do not return the completed form to this address.

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are
not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United
States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

Thank you.

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons can
be made across countries in the studies.
It is estimated that you will need approximately 30
minutes to complete this questionnaire. We appreciate
the time and effort that this takes and thank you for
your cooperation and contribution.
When you have completed the questionnaire,
please return it to the TIMSS school coordinator.

TIMSS 2011

About You
1

5
By the end of this school year, how many years will
you have been teaching altogether?

A. During your college or university education, what
was your major or main area(s) of study?
Fill in one circle for each line.

_____________ years

Yes

Please round to the nearest whole number.

No

1
b) Education—Secondary ------------------------- 1
c) Mathematics ------------------------------------- 1
d) Science ------------------------------------------- 1
e) English ------------------------------------------- 1
f) Other --------------------------------------------- 1
a) Education—Primary/Elementary --------------

2
Are you female or male?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Male -- 2

Female --

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
How old are you?
Fill in one circle only.

1
25–29 -- 2
30–39 -- 3
40–49 -- 4
50–59 -- 5
60 or more -- 6
Under 25 --

B. If your major or main area of study was
education, did you have a specialization
in any of the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

1
b) Science ------------------------------------------- 1
c) Language/reading ------------------------------- 1
d) Other subject ------------------------------------ 1
a) Mathematics -------------------------------------

2
2
2
2

4
What is the highest level of formal education you
have completed?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Completed high school --- 2

Did not complete high school ---

Completed a vocational/technical
certificate after high school ---

3

Completed an Associate’s degree (AA) in
vocational/technical program ---

4

Completed an academic Associate’s
degree (AA) or Bachelor’s degree ---

5

Completed an academic Master’s degree,
postgraduate certificate program (e.g.,
teaching) or first professional degree
(e.g., law, medicine, dentistry) ---

6
Completed a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D) --- 7
Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2

About Your School
7

6

Thinking about your current school, indicate the
extent to which you agree or disagree with each of
the following statements.

How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Very high

Agree a lot

High

Agree a little

Medium

Disagree a little

Low

a) Teachers’ job
satisfaction -------------------- 1

2

3 4

5

b) Teachers’ understanding
of the school’s curricular
goals --------------------------- 1

2

3 4

5

c) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum -------- 1

Disagree
a lot

Very
low

2

3 4

a) This school is located in
a safe neighborhood ---------- 1

5

d) Teachers’ expectations
for student
achievement ------------------- 1

2

3 4

5

e) Parental support for
student achievement ---------- 1

2

3 4

5

f) Parental involvement
in school activities ------------- 1

2

3 4

5

g) Students’ regard for
school property ---------------- 1

2

3 4

5

h) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------ 1

2

3 4

5

2
b) I feel safe at this school -------- 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) This school’s security policies
and practices are sufficient ---- 1

2

3 4

d) The students behave in an
orderly manner ---------------- 1

2

3 4

e ) The students are respectful
of the teachers ----------------- 1

2

3 4

8
In your current school, how severe is each problem?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not a problem
Minor problem
Moderate problem
Serious
problem

a) The school building needs
significant repair -------------- 1

3

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2
b) Classrooms are overcrowded -- 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) Teachers have too many
teaching hours ----------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Teachers do not have
adequate workspace (e.g., for
preparation, collaboration,
or meeting with students) ---- 1

2

3 4

e) Teachers do not have
adequate instructional
materials and supplies -------- 1

2

3 4

About Being a Teacher
9

10

A. Do you use computers in your teaching in any of
the following ways?
Fill in one circle for each line.

How often do you have the following types of
interactions with other teachers?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Yes

Never or almost never
No

1 2
b) For administration ------------------------------- 1 2
c) In your classroom instruction ------------------- 1 2

2 or 3 times per month
1–3 times
per week

a) For preparation ----------------------------------

If Yes to “classroom instruction”
B. How much do you agree with the following
statements about using computers in your
classroom instruction?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Agree a lot
Agree a little
Disagree a little

Daily or
almost
daily

a) Discuss how to teach
a particular topic -------------- 1

2

3 4

b) Collaborate in planning
and preparing instructional
materials ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

c) Share what I have
learned about my
teaching experiences ---------- 1

2

3 4

d) Visit another classroom
to learn more about teaching - 1

2

3 4

e) Work together to
try out new ideas -------------- 1

2

3 4

Disagree
a lot

a) I feel comfortable using
computers in my teaching ---- 1

2

3 4

b) When I have technical
problems, I have ready
access to computer
support staff in my school ----- 1

2

3 4

c) I receive adequate
support for integrating
computers in my
teaching activities ------------- 1

2

3 4

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

4

About Teaching the
TIMSS Class
11

12
How much do you agree with the following
statements?

A. How many students are in this class?
_____________ students

Fill in one circle for each line.

Write in a number.

Agree a lot
Agree a little
Disagree a little
Disagree
a lot

a) I am content with my profession
as a teacher -------------------- 1

2

3 4

b) I am satisfied with being a
teacher at this school ---------- 1

2

3 4

c) I had more enthusiasm when
I began teaching than I
have now ---------------------- 1

2

3 4

d) I do important work as
a teacher ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

2
f) I am frustrated as a teacher --- 1 2

3 4
3 4

e) I plan to continue as a
teacher for as long as I can ---- 1

B. How many of the students in #12A are in
fourth grade?
_____________ fourth-grade students

Write in a number.

13
How many fourth-grade students experience
difficulties understanding spoken English?
_____________ students in this class

Write in a number.

14
Which of the following subjects do you teach to this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

1 2
b) I teach the class mathematics ------------------- 1 2
c) I teach the class science ------------------------- 1 2
a) I teach the class English/reading ----------------

5

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

15

16
How often do you do the following in teaching this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.

In your view, to what extent do the following limit
how you teach this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Every or almost every lesson

Not applicable

About half the lessons

Not at all

Some lessons

Some

Never

a) Summarize what students
should have learned from
the lesson --------------------- 1

2

b) Relate the lesson to
students’ daily lives ----------- 1

A lot

3 4

a) Students lacking
prerequisite knowledge
or skills ------------------------ 1

2

3 4

2

3 4

b) Students suffering from
lack of basic nutrition --------- 1

2

3 4

c) Use questioning to elicit
reasons and explanations ----- 1

2

3 4

c) Students suffering from
not enough sleep -------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Encourage all students to
improve their performance --- 1

2

3 4

e) Praise students for
good effort -------------------- 1

2

3 4

f) Bring interesting materials
to class ------------------------- 1

2

3 4

2
e) Disruptive students ------------ 1 2
f) Uninterested students --------- 1 2

3 4
3 4
3 4

d) Students with special needs
(e.g., physical disabilities,
mental or emotional/
psychological impairment) --- 1

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

6

17
For the typical student in this class, how often do
you do these things?
Fill in one circle for each line.
At least once a week
Once or twice a month
4–6 times a year
1–3 times
a year

7

Never

a) Meet or talk individually
with the student’s parents
to discuss his/her
learning progress -------------- 1

2

3 4

5

b) Send home a progress
report on the student’s
learning ------------------------ 1

2

3 4

5

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Teaching Mathematics to the
TIMSS Class

Questions 18 - 20 ask about mathematics
instruction for the fourth-grade students in the
TIMSS class.

20
In teaching mathematics to this class, how often do
you usually ask students to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every lesson
About half the lessons
Some lessons

18
In a typical week, how much time do you spend
teaching mathematics to the students in this class?
___________hours and ___________minutes per week
Write in the hours and minutes.

Never

a) Listen to me explain how to
solve problems ---------------- 1

2

3 4

b) Memorize rules, procedures,
and facts ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

1 2

3 4

c) Work problems (individually or
with peers) with my guidance

19
In teaching mathematics to this class, how confident
do you feel to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Not confident

a) Answer students’ questions
about mathematics ------------ 1

2

3

b) Show students a variety of
problem solving strategies ---- 1

2

3

c) Provide challenging tasks
for capable students ----------- 1

2

3

d) Adapt my teaching to
engage students’ interest ----- 1

2

3

e) Help students appreciate
the value of learning
mathematics ------------------- 1

2

3

d) Work problems together in the
whole class with direct
guidance from me ------------- 1

2

3 4

2
f) Explain their answers ---------- 1 2

3 4
3 4

e) Work problems (individually or
with peers) while I am occupied
by other tasks ------------------ 1

g) Relate what they are
learning in mathematics
to their daily lives -------------- 1

2
h) Take a written test or quiz ----- 1 2

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

3 4
3 4

8

Resources for Teaching
Mathematics

Questions 21 - 23 ask about resources for
teaching mathematics to the fourth-grade
students in the TIMSS class.

23
A. Do the students in this class have computer(s)
available to use during their mathematics lessons?
Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

21
When you teach mathematics to this class, how
do you use the following resources?

(If No, go to #24)

If Yes,

Fill in one circle for each line.
Basis for instruction
Supplement

B. Do any of the computer(s) have access to the
Internet?

Not used

a) Textbooks ---------------------- 1

2

3

b) Workbooks or
worksheets -------------------- 1

2

3

c) Concrete objects or
materials that help
students understand
quantities or procedures ------- 1

2

3

d) Computer software for
mathematics instruction ------ 1

2

2

Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

C. How often do you have the students do the
following computer activities during mathematics
lessons?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every day
Once or twice a week
Once or twice a
month

22
Are the students in this class permitted to use
calculators during mathematics lessons?
Fill in one circle only.

1
Yes, with restricted use --- 2
No, calculators are not permitted - 3
Yes, with unrestricted use ---

9

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Never or
almost
never

a) Explore mathematics
principles and concepts -------- 1

2
b) Practice skills and procedures - 1 2

3 4
3 4

c) Look up ideas and
information -------------------- 1

3 4

2

Mathematics Topics Taught
Questions 24 - 25 ask about the topics taught and the content covered in teaching mathematics to the
fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

24
The following list includes the main topics addressed by the TIMSS mathematics test. Choose the response that
best describes when the students in this class have been taught each topic. If a topic was in the curriculum before
the fourth grade, please choose “Mostly taught before this year.” If a topic was taught half this year but not yet
completed, please choose “Mostly taught this year.” If a topic is not in the curriculum, please choose “Not yet
taught or just introduced.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Mostly taught before this year
Mostly taught this year
Not yet taught or
just introduced

A. Number

1 2 3
b) Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and/or dividing with whole numbers --------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
a) Concepts of whole numbers, including place value and ordering -----------------------------------------------------------

c) Concepts of fractions (fractions as parts of a whole or of a collection, or as a location on a number line;
comparing and ordering fractions) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1
d) Adding and subtracting with fractions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Concepts of decimals, including place value and ordering ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
f) Adding and subtracting with decimals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
g) Number sentences (finding the missing number, modeling simple situations with number sentences) ------------------ 1
h) Number patterns (extending number patterns and finding missing terms) ------------------------------------------------ 1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

B. Geometric Shapes and Measures

1
b) Comparing and drawing angles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
c) Using informal coordinate systems to locate points in a plane (e.g., in square B4) ----------------------------------------- 1
d) Elementary properties of common geometric shapes ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Reflections and rotations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
f) Relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes ------------------------------------------------- 1
g) Finding and estimating areas, perimeters, and volumes -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
a) Lines: measuring, estimating length of; parallel and perpendicular lines --------------------------------------------------

C. Data Display

1 2 3
b) Drawing conclusions from data displays ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
c) Displaying data using tables, pictographs, and bar graphs ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
a) Reading data from tables, pictographs, bar graphs, or pie charts ----------------------------------------------------------

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

10

Mathematics Content Coverage

Mathematics Homework

25
Question 26 asks about mathematics homework
for the fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

By the end of this school year, approximately what
percentage of teaching time for mathematics will
you have spent during this school year on each of
the following mathematics content areas for the
students in this class?
Write in the percentage for each.

a) Number (includes computation with
whole numbers, fractions, decimals
and pre-algebraic concepts, including
number patterns) --------------------------------------- _____%
b) Geometric Shapes and Measures
(includes two- and three-dimensional
shapes, length, area and volume) --------------------- _____%
c) Data Display (includes reading, making,
and interpreting tables and graphs)-------------------- _____%
d) Other ---------------------------------------------------- _____%
Total = 100%

26
A. How often do you usually assign mathematics
homework to the students in this class?
Fill in one circle only.

I do not assign mathematics
homework ---

1
(If No, go to #27)

2
1 or 2 times a week --- 3
3 or 4 times a week --- 4
Every day --- 5

Less than once a week ---

B. When you assign mathematics homework to the
students in this class, about how many minutes
do you usually assign? (Consider the time it would
take an average student in your class.)
Fill in one circle only.

1
16–30 minutes --- 2
31–60 minutes --- 3
more than 60 minutes --- 4
15 minutes or less ---

C. How often do you do the following with the
mathematics homework assignments for this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always
Sometimes
Never or almost
never

11

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

a) Correct assignments and
give feedback to students------ 1

2

3

b) Discuss the homework
in class ------------------------- 1

2

3

c) Monitor whether or not the
homework was completed ---- 1

2

3

Preparation to Teach
Mathematics

Mathematics Assessment

Question 27 asks about mathematics
assessment for the fourth-grade students in the
TIMSS class.

28
In the past two years, have you participated
in professional development in any of the
following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes
No

27
How much emphasis do you place on the
following sources to monitor students’ progress in
mathematics?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Major emphasis
Some emphasis
Little or no
emphasis

a) Evaluation of students’
ongoing work ------------------ 1

2

3

b) Classroom tests (for
example, teacher-made or
textbook tests) ---------------- 1

2

3

c) State or district
achievement tests ------------- 1

2

3

1 2
b) Mathematics pedagogy/instruction ------------ 1 2
c) Mathematics curriculum ------------------------ 1 2
a) Mathematics content ----------------------------

d) Integrating information technology
into mathematics --------------------------------

1 2
e) Mathematics assessment ----------------------- 1 2
f) Addressing individual students’ needs ---------- 1 2

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

12

29
How well prepared do you feel you are to teach the following mathematics topics?
If a topic is not in the fourth-grade curriculum or you are not responsible for teaching this topic, please choose
“Not applicable.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not applicable
Very well prepared
Somewhat
prepared
Not well
prepared

A. Number

1 2 3 4
b) Adding, subtracting, multiplying and/or dividing with whole numbers --------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
a) Concepts of whole numbers, including place value and ordering -----------------------------------------------------------

c) Concepts of fractions (fractions as parts of a whole or of a collection, or as a location on a number line;
comparing and ordering fractions) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1
d) Adding and subtracting with fractions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Concepts of decimals, including place value and ordering ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
f) Adding and subtracting with decimals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
g) Number sentences (finding the missing number, modeling simple situations with number sentences) ------------------ 1
h) Number patterns (extending number patterns and finding missing terms) ------------------------------------------------ 1

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

B. Geometric Shapes and Measures

1
b) Comparing and drawing angles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
c) Using informal coordinate systems to locate points in a plane (e.g., in square B4) ----------------------------------------- 1
d) Elementary properties of common geometric shapes ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Reflections and rotations ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
f) Relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes ------------------------------------------------- 1
g) Finding and estimating areas, perimeters, and volumes -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
a) Lines: measuring, estimating length of; parallel and perpendicular lines --------------------------------------------------

C. Data Display

1 2 3 4
b) Drawing conclusions from data displays ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Displaying data using tables, pictographs, and bar graphs ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
a) Reading data from tables, pictographs, bar graphs, or pie charts ----------------------------------------------------------

13

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Teaching Science to the
TIMSS Class

Questions 30 - 32 ask about science instruction
for the fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

31
In teaching science to this class, how confident do
you feel to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Very confident
Somewhat confident

30
A. Is science taught mainly as a separate subject (i.e.,
not integrated with other subjects) to the students
in this class?

Not confident

a) Answer students’ questions
about science ------------------ 1

2

3

b) Explain science concepts
or principles by doing
science experiments ----------- 1

2

3

c) Provide challenging tasks
for capable students ----------- 1

2

3

B. Please estimate the time that you spend on science
topics with students in this class.

d) Adapt my teaching to
engage students’ interest ----- 1

2

3

__________hours and __________minutes per week

e) Help students appreciate
the value of learning
science ------------------------- 1

2

3

Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

Write in the hours and minutes.

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

14

Resources for Teaching Science
32

Questions 33 - 34 ask about resources for
teaching science to the fourth-grade students in
the TIMSS class.

In teaching science to the students in this class, how
often do you usually ask them to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every lesson
About half the lessons
Some lessons
Never

a) Observe natural phenomena
such as the weather or a
plant growing and describe
what they see ------------------ 1

3 4

2

3 4

c) Design or plan experiments
or investigations --------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Conduct experiments or
investigations ------------------ 1

2

3 4

e) Read their textbooks or
other resource materials ------ 1

2

3 4

f) Have students memorize
facts and principles ------------ 1

2

3 4

g) Give explanations about
something they are
studying ----------------------- 1

2

3 4

h) Relate what they are
learning in science to
their daily lives ---------------- 1

2

3 4

2
Take a written test or quiz ----- 1 2

3 4
3 4

j)

When you teach science to this class, how
do you use the following resources?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Basis for instruction
Supplement

b) Watch me demonstrate an
experiment or investigation --- 1

i) Do field work outside
the class ------------------------ 1

15

2

33

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

Not used

a) Textbooks ---------------------- 1

2

3

b) Workbooks or
worksheets -------------------- 1

2

3

c) Science equipment and
materials ----------------------- 1

2

3

d) Computer software for
science instruction ------------- 1

2

3

e) Reference materials
(e.g., encyclopedia,
dictionary) --------------------- 1

2

3

34
A. Do the students in this class have computer(s)
available to use when you are teaching science?
Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

(If No, go to #35)

If Yes,
B. Do any of the computer(s) have access to the
Internet?
Fill in one circle only.

1
No --- 2

Yes ---

C. How often do you have the students do the
following computer activities during science
lessons?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every day
Once or twice a week
Once or twice a
month
Never or
almost
never

a) Practice skills and procedures - 1

2

3 4

b) Look up ideas and
information -------------------- 1

2

3 4

c) Do scientific procedures
or experiments ----------------- 1

2

3 4

d) Study natural phenomena
through simulations ----------- 1

2

3 4

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

16

Science Topics Taught
Questions 35 - 36 ask about the topics taught and the content covered in teaching science to the
fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

35
The following list includes the main topics addressed by the TIMSS science test. Choose the response that best
describes when the students in this class have been taught each topic. If a topic was in the curriculum before
the fourth grade, please choose “Mostly taught before this year.” If a topic was taught half this year but not yet
completed, please choose “Mostly taught this year.” If a topic is not in the curriculum, please choose “Not yet
taught or just introduced.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Mostly taught before this year
Mostly taught this year
Not yet taught or
just introduced

A. Life Science

1
b) Life cycles and reproduction in plants and animals ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
c) Physical features, behavior, and survival of organisms living in different environments ----------------------------------- 1
d) Relationships in a given community (e.g., simple food chains, predator-prey relationships) ------------------------------ 1
e) Changes in environments (effects of human activity, pollution and its prevention) --------------------------------------- 1
f) Human health (e.g., transmission/prevention of communicable diseases, signs of health/illness, diet, exercise) -------- 1
a) Major body structures and their functions in humans and other organisms (plants and animals) ------------------------

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

B. Physical Science

a) States of matter (solids, liquids, gases) and differences in their physical properties (shape, volume),
including changes in state of matter by heating and cooling ---------------------------------------------------------------

1
b) Classification of objects/materials based on physical properties (e.g., weight/mass, volume, magnetic attraction) ----- 1
c) Forming and separating mixtures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
d) Familiar changes in materials (e.g., decaying, burning, rusting, cooking) -------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Common energy sources/forms and their practical uses (e.g., the Sun, electricity, water, wind) -------------------------- 1
f) Light (e.g., sources, behavior) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
g) Electrical circuits and properties of magnets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
h) Forces that cause objects to move (e.g., gravity, push/pull forces) --------------------------------------------------------- 1
C. Earth Science

a) Water on Earth (location, types, and movement) and air (composition, proof of its existence, uses) --------------------b) Common features of Earth’s landscape (e.g., mountains, plains, rivers, deserts) and relationship
to human use (e.g., farming, irrigation, land development) ----------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3

1
c) Weather conditions from day to day or over the seasons ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
d) Fossils of animals and plants (age, location, formation) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Earth’s solar system (planets, Sun, moon) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
f) Day, night, and shadows due to Earth’s rotation and its relationship to the Sun ------------------------------------------- 1

17

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

Science Content Coverage

Science Homework

36
Question 37 asks about science homework for
the fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

By the end of this school year, approximately what
percentage of teaching time for science will you
have spent during this school year on each of the
following science content areas for the students in
this class?
Write in the percentage for each.

a) Life science (includes
environmental issues) ---------------------------------- _____%
b) Physical science (includes
topics in physics and chemistry) ------------------------ _____%
c) Earth science (includes Earth and
the solar system) ---------------------------------------- _____%
d) Other ---------------------------------------------------- _____%
Total = 100%

37
A. How often do you usually assign science
homework to the students in this class?
Fill in one circle only.

I do not assign science
homework ---

1
(If No, go to #38)

2
1 or 2 times a week --- 3
3 or 4 times a week --- 4
Every day --- 5

Less than once a week ---

B. When you assign science homework to the
students in this class, about how many minutes
do you usually assign? (Consider the time it would
take an average student in your class.)
Fill in one circle only.

1
16–30 minutes --- 2
31–60 minutes --- 3
more than 60 minutes --- 4
15 minutes or less ---

C. How often do you do the following with the
science homework assignments for this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always
Sometimes
Never or almost
never

a) Correct assignments and
give feedback to students ----- 1

2

3

b) Discuss the homework
in class ------------------------- 1

2

3

c) Monitor whether or not the
homework was completed ---- 1

2

3

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

18

Science Assessment

Preparation to Teach Science

Question 38 asks about science assessment for
the fourth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

39
In the past two years, have you participated
in professional development in any of the
following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Yes

38

No

How much emphasis do you place on the following
sources to monitor students’ progress in science?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Major emphasis
Some emphasis
Little or no
emphasis

19

a) Evaluation of students’
ongoing work ------------------ 1

2

3

b) Classroom tests (for
example, teacher-made or
textbook tests) ---------------- 1

2

3

c) State or district
achievement tests ------------- 1

2

3

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

1 2
b) Science pedagogy/instruction ------------------ 1 2
c) Science curriculum ------------------------------ 1 2
a) Science content ----------------------------------

d) Integrating information technology
into science --------------------------------------

1 2
e) Science assessment ------------------------------ 1 2
f) Addressing individual students’ needs ---------- 1 2

40
How well prepared do you feel you are to teach the following science topics?
If a topic is not in the fourth-grade curriculum or you are not responsible for teaching this topic, please choose
“Not applicable.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not applicable
Very well prepared
Somewhat
prepared
Not well
prepared

A. Life Science

1
b) Life cycles and reproduction in plants and animals ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
c) Physical features, behavior, and survival of organisms living in different environments ----------------------------------- 1
d) Relationships in a given community (e.g., simple food chains, predator-prey relationships) ------------------------------ 1
e) Changes in environments (effects of human activity, pollution and its prevention) --------------------------------------- 1
f) Human health (e.g., transmission/prevention of communicable diseases, signs of health/illness, diet, exercise) -------- 1
a) Major body structures and their functions in humans and other organisms (plants and animals) ------------------------

2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4

B. Physical Science

a) States of matter (solids, liquids, gases) and differences in their physical properties (shape, volume),
including changes in state of matter by heating and cooling ---------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4

b) Classification of objects/materials based on physical properties (e.g., weight/mass, volume,
magnetic attraction) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1
c) Forming and separating mixtures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
d) Familiar changes in materials (e.g., decaying, burning, rusting, cooking) -------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Common energy sources/forms and their practical uses (e.g., the Sun, electricity, water, wind) -------------------------- 1
f) Light (e.g., sources, behavior) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1
g) Electrical circuits and properties of magnets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
h) Forces that cause objects to move (e.g., gravity, push/pull forces) --------------------------------------------------------- 1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4

C. Earth Science

a) Water on Earth (location, types, and movement) and air (composition, proof of its existence, uses) --------------------b) Common features of Earth’s landscape (e.g., mountains, plains, rivers, deserts) and relationship
to human use (e.g., farming, irrigation, land development) ----------------------------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4

1
c) Weather conditions from day to day or over the seasons ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
d) Fossils of animals and plants (age, location, formation) -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
e) Earth’s solar system (planets, Sun, moon) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
f) Day, night, and shadows due to Earth’s rotation and its relationship to the Sun ------------------------------------------- 1

Grade 4 Teacher Questionnaire

2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4

20

THIS PAGE LEFT BLANK ON PURPOSE

Thank You
Thank you for the thought, time, and effort you have
put into completing this questionnaire.

timssandpirls.bc.edu

TIMSS 2011
Teacher
Questionnaire
Grade 4

© IEA, 2011
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement