This hypothetical study plan is designed for someone who:
- Is currently employed full-time
- Would like to teach high school math
- Has no prior teaching experience
- Supports a family
This plan is the product of a candidate working with his advisor to build a 10 month strategy to prepare for the Math and Professional Teaching Knowledge exams while continuing to work full-time. In addition to the study materials, we recommend that our candidates gain hands-on experience through substitute teaching or tutoring.
Professional Teaching Knowledge
Mathematics
- All Topics
- Number Sense
- Algebra and Functions
- Geometry and Measurement
- Trigonometry
- Probability, Statistics & Data Analysis
- Linear Algebra
- Calculus
Professional Teaching Knowledge
PTK Practice Test CD-ROM - Periodically, use the quizzes and full-length tests to assess your progress as you study.
Classroom Management and Organization (5 weeks)
Books
- Instructional Classroom Management: A proactive approach to behavior management
- The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher
- 176 Ways to Involve Parents
Web Resources
- Effective Educational Practices
Other Media
- Professional Teaching Knowledge Practice Exam CD-ROM
- Prepare to Teach Workshop: Techniques for Handling Discipline Problems
Instructional Delivery (4 weeks)
Books
- What Works in Schools
- Strategies & Tactics for Effective Instruction
Web Resources
- Glossary of Education Terms
- Education Resources Information Center
Classroom Assessment (4 weeks)
Books
- Classroom Assessment: Concepts and Applications
Web Resources
- E-learning Teacher's Classroom Assessment Program
- Benchmarking and Alignment of Standards and Testing
- Assessment Terminology: A Glossary of Useful Terms
Instructional Design (6 weeks)
Books
- Strategies and Tactics for Effective Instruction
Web Resources
- Education Resources Information Center
- Research Synthesis of Effective Teaching Principles and the Design of Quality Tools for Educators
Other Media
- Prepare to Teach Workshop: Organizing for Instruction
Mathematics
Mathematics Practice Test CD-ROM - Periodically, use the quizzes and full-length tests to assess your progress as you study.
Books
- Just the Facts: Basic Math Facts
Web Resources
- Purplemath's Number types
- Purplemath's Number Properties
- Properties of Real Numbers
Algebra and Functions (5 weeks)
Books
- Pre-Calculus Algebra and Analytical Geometry
- Schaum's Outline of Intermediate Algebra
- How to Solve Word Problems in Algebra
- Teach Yourself Algebra
Geometry and Measurement (4 weeks)
Books
- Geometry and Trigonometry for Calculus
- Geometry De-Mystified
Web Resources
- Geometry Help from Math.com
Other Media
- Standard Deviants: Geometry DVD 2 pack
Books
- An Introduction to Trigonometry
- Dave's Short Course in Trigonometry
- Trigonometry De-Mystified
Probability, Statistics & Data Analysis (2 weeks)
Books
- The Cartoon Guide to Statistics
- Barron's Math the Easy Way
- Elementary Statistics
Web Resources
- Collecting and Organizing Data
- StatSoft Electronic Textbook
Books
- 3,000 Solved Linear Algebra Problems
- Linear Algebra Toolkit
Books
- Calculus Made Easy
- The Humongous Book of Calculus Problems: For People Who Don't Speak Math
- Elementary Statistics
Web Resources
- Calculus help.com
- Calc101.com