General Knowledge

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Annotated Bibliography

The annotated bibliography that follows includes basic references that you may find useful in preparing for the exam. Each resource is linked to the competencies and skills found in Section 3 of this guide.

This bibliography is representative of the most important and most comprehensive texts pertaining to the competencies and skills. The Florida Department of Education does not endorse these references as the only appropriate sources for review; many comparable texts currently used in teacher preparation programs also cover the competencies and skills that are tested on the exam.

English Language Skills

  1. Baugh, L. S. (2005). Essentials of English grammar (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Contains general usage rules for parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, word division, and commonly confused words. Includes style guidelines with tips on how to write with economy, clarity, and accuracy. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  2. Beck, I., McKeown, M., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Contains general usage rules for parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, word division, and commonly confused words. Includes style guidelines with tips on how to write with economy, clarity, and accuracy. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  3. Fowler, H. R., & Aaron, J. E. (2011). The Little, Brown handbook (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Longman.

    Provides coverage of the writing process, grammar and usage, research, and documentation while also giving discussions of critical reading, academic writing, reading and writing arguments, writing in the disciplines, and public writing. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  4. Graves, M. F. (2006). The vocabulary book: Learning and instruction. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Offers a comprehensive plan for vocabulary instruction broad enough to instruct students with varying vocabulary abilities. Useful for review of competency 2.

  5. Hacker, D. (2009). The Bedford handbook (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's.

    Provides basic explanations of proper grammar, composition, citation, and textual analysis. Useful for review of all competencies.

  6. Hairston, M., Ruszkiewicz, J., & Friend, C. (2004). The Scott Foresman handbook for writers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

    Includes topics such as writing process, writing for academic and public forums, style, visual design, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Useful for review of all competencies.

  7. Lunsford, A. A. (2007). The everyday writer (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's.

    Addresses strategies that can aid writers through every writing situation. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  8. Raimes, A. (2005). Keys for writers (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

    Offers complete coverage of grammar, writing, research, and documentation processes. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  9. Robb, L., Klemp, R., & Schwartz, W. (2002). Reader's handbook: A student's guide for reading and learning. Wilmington, MA: Great Source Educational Group.

    Supports vocabulary acquisition and reading contextually to determine the meaning of unknown words. Useful for review of competency 2.

  10. Royster, J. J., & Lester, M. (1996). Writer's choice: Grammar and composition. New York, NY: Glencow/McGraw Hill.

    Provides practice in the use of clauses, modifiers, and tenses for more effective writing. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  11. Winterrowd, W. R., & Murray, P. Y. (1985). English: Writing and skills. San Diego, CA: Coronado.

    Includes exercises and examples in order to improve writing and grammar. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

Reading

  1. Beck, I., & McKeown, M. (2006). Improving comprehension with questioning the author: A fresh and expanded view of a powerful approach. New York, NY: Scholastic Professional Books.

    Provides support in gaining meaning from text including explicit examples and numerous classroom cases. Useful for review of all competencies.

  2. Block, C. C. (2004). Teaching comprehension: The comprehension process approach. Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

    Includes innovative lessons and approaches based on research-based practices. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 2.

  3. Elder, J. (2004). Exercising your college reading skills: Developing more powerful comprehension. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Reinforces essential reading skills. Offers college-level reading selections from multiple disciplines, writing prompts, and quizzes at a companion website. Useful for review of all competencies.

  4. Hobbs, R. (2011). Digital and media literacy: Connecting culture and classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

    Demonstrates usage of digital media to support the development of print literacy skills, as well as to entertain and to engage. Links skills such as authentic inquiry and the use of critical questions to popular culture, bringing relevance to the learning experience. Useful for review of competency 3.

  5. Smith, B. D. (2005). Bridging the gap: College reading (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Longman.

    Links textbook readings to news in the popular press. Includes material on critical thinking and the Internet. Also includes material at various reading levels from multiple academic disciplines. Useful for review of all competencies.

  6. Spears, D. M. (2006). Developing critical reading skills (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

    Designed for intermediate and advanced reading courses. Features a variety of selections and excellent coverage of critical reading skills. Useful for review of all competencies.

  7. Vacca, R. T., & Vacca, J. L. (2005). Content area reading (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.

    Addresses reading, writing, speaking, and listening processes to support learning across the curriculum through an active learning tool complete with real-world examples and research-based practices. Useful for review of all competencies.

Mathematics

  1. Bennett, A. B., Burton, L. J., & Nelson, L. T. (2012). Mathematics for elementary teachers: A conceptual approach (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    Contains a strong focus on the development of mathematical skills and the instructional practices that most encourage success. Useful for review of competency 1.

  2. Collins, W., Cuevas, G., Foster, A. G., Gordon, B., Moore-Harris, B., Rath, J., et al. (2001). Algebra 2: Integration, applications, connections. New York, NY: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.

    Balances sound skill and concept development with applications, connections, problem solving, critical thinking, and technology. Useful for review of competency 3.

  3. Larson, R., Boswell, L., Kanold, T., & Stiff, L. (2004). Algebra I: Applications, equations, graphs. Evanston, IL: McDougall Littell.

    Helps Algebra I students connect to essential mathematical concepts with integrated print and technology support. Useful for review of competencies 1 and 3.

  4. Larson, R., Boswell, L., Kanold, T. D., & Stiff, L. (2007). Middle school math course 3. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.

    Presents a survey of basic mathematics skills helpful for understanding the fundamentals of algebra and geometry. Useful for review of competency 1.

  5. Mandery, M., & Schneider, M. (2000). Achieving proficiency in mathematics. New York, NY: AMSCO School Publications.

    Promotes mathematical mastery through critical thinking and applied strategies, including the use of the calculator as a tool for exploration and implementation. Emphasizes data reading and interpreting statistical information summarized in tables, bar graphs, and line graphs. Useful for review of all competencies.

  6. Moore, D. (2007). The basic practice of statistics (4th ed.). New York, NY: Freeman.

    Introduces students with limited mathematical backgrounds to the same tools, techniques, and interpretive skills that working statisticians rely on daily. Useful for review of competency 4.

  7. Serra, M. (2008). Discovering geometry: An investigative approach (4th ed.). Berkeley, CA: Key Curriculum Press.

    Enables students to learn theorems and definitions by performing constructions, measuring figures, relating patterns and properties, and discussing their findings. Uses real-world applications, puzzles, and extensions to keep students involved and thinking. Useful for review of competency 2.

  8. Shapiro, M. S. (1977). Mathematics encyclopedia. Garden City, NY: Main Street Books.

    Explains mathematical terms in a manner that most can understand. Useful for review of competency 2.

 

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