CSETMathGuru: THE Site for Single Subject Math
Advice for Middle School Math teachers
The duration for preparation for Subtest I, unsurprisingly, depends on one's familiarity with advanced Algebra and middle-school Math teachers [current / prospective] aren't terribly proficient in High School / College level Precalculus - the assumption, after all, is: why would I need it if I'm teaching Middle School?!!
That said, if studying individually is a frightful chore, form a study group if possible (though it's hard to find chaps in the neighbourhood / area in a like situation... I would have imagined that "advertising" on this Forum to seek fellow pilgrims worshiping at the same CSET shrines would be more widespread)!
Break the entire course / syllabus into chunks, prepare a detailed plan to cover a certain number of sections each week, and come hell or high water, resolve to accomplish your objectives. Needless to say - and yet I say it! - sacrifices shall have to be made: get up earlier / sleep later, study when others are yet to awake! Put in ~2-3 hours daily and ~4 on weekends. Curtail customary diversions: fun and frolic can be had once the Subtests have been surmounted...
Alternately, hire an accomplished tutor or get somebody from the state university in advanced Math classes as an instructor. You shall make much quicker progress!
But, as I've said before till I've got blue in the face - and you should see my face: it's decidedly blue, and not merely because it was struck recently by a violent blunt object... - there *are* NO shortcuts, NO elixir to magically transform the unprepared bugger to an intellectual X-Man. So guard against complacency.
Anxiety - unless it is marked by unseemly panic that requires blokes in masks poring over you and yelling "CLEAR!" - is OK: it's a natural reaction that usually ceases once the test begins. I passed all 3 subtests at one shot, but even I was more nervous than a Mafioso appearing as witness for the prosecution.
If you don't pass this time, examine the back of your Score Report and remedy the deficiencies. Gird your loins to "lucubrate", which, my bedside Oxford informs me, refers to "studying assiduously into the night"...
I'm sure there shall be chaps out there that shall vociferously disagree, snort their disdainful protestations and be willing to slap my countenance and challenge me to to duel at sundown if not actually start Holy Wars and begin turning keys for the launch of nuclear missiles at my peremptory declaration. But the inflexible Tauran that reposes in me refuses to concede this point of no short-cuts even upon threat of exposure of past crimes and misdemeanours. (Three Cheers for the Statute of Limitations!) So there: those that don't relish it can stuff in their collective pipes and smoke it!
But remember: there's nothing like success to put the flush to one's cheeks, a scabrous song to one's lips, a swagger to one's steps, and Dionysian mischief in one's intentions!
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].
The duration for preparation for Subtest I, unsurprisingly, depends on one's familiarity with advanced Algebra and middle-school Math teachers [current / prospective] aren't terribly proficient in High School / College level Precalculus - the assumption, after all, is: why would I need it if I'm teaching Middle School?!!
That said, if studying individually is a frightful chore, form a study group if possible (though it's hard to find chaps in the neighbourhood / area in a like situation... I would have imagined that "advertising" on this Forum to seek fellow pilgrims worshiping at the same CSET shrines would be more widespread)!
Break the entire course / syllabus into chunks, prepare a detailed plan to cover a certain number of sections each week, and come hell or high water, resolve to accomplish your objectives. Needless to say - and yet I say it! - sacrifices shall have to be made: get up earlier / sleep later, study when others are yet to awake! Put in ~2-3 hours daily and ~4 on weekends. Curtail customary diversions: fun and frolic can be had once the Subtests have been surmounted...
Alternately, hire an accomplished tutor or get somebody from the state university in advanced Math classes as an instructor. You shall make much quicker progress!
But, as I've said before till I've got blue in the face - and you should see my face: it's decidedly blue, and not merely because it was struck recently by a violent blunt object... - there *are* NO shortcuts, NO elixir to magically transform the unprepared bugger to an intellectual X-Man. So guard against complacency.
Anxiety - unless it is marked by unseemly panic that requires blokes in masks poring over you and yelling "CLEAR!" - is OK: it's a natural reaction that usually ceases once the test begins. I passed all 3 subtests at one shot, but even I was more nervous than a Mafioso appearing as witness for the prosecution.
If you don't pass this time, examine the back of your Score Report and remedy the deficiencies. Gird your loins to "lucubrate", which, my bedside Oxford informs me, refers to "studying assiduously into the night"...
I'm sure there shall be chaps out there that shall vociferously disagree, snort their disdainful protestations and be willing to slap my countenance and challenge me to to duel at sundown if not actually start Holy Wars and begin turning keys for the launch of nuclear missiles at my peremptory declaration. But the inflexible Tauran that reposes in me refuses to concede this point of no short-cuts even upon threat of exposure of past crimes and misdemeanours. (Three Cheers for the Statute of Limitations!) So there: those that don't relish it can stuff in their collective pipes and smoke it!
But remember: there's nothing like success to put the flush to one's cheeks, a scabrous song to one's lips, a swagger to one's steps, and Dionysian mischief in one's intentions!
Qs? Call (Jay): 951-489-7665
OR email me: [email protected].