Math on Math: Developing Content Literacy for Teachers As a middle or secondary school mathematics teacher, you may sometimes feel as if you are stranded on a deserted island and have written: "Help! I teach algebra!" in the sand. It is not uncommon for teachers to lack the expertise needed to teach the wide range of classes they are assigned, whether due to transfers, retirements, or teacher shortages. Rest assured there is help out there. Here are six ways that you can increase your content knowledge in mathematics. 1. Utilize the Teacher's Edition Textbook A great place to start is as close and easy as your teacher's edition textbook. A lot of care and effort has been placed in the creation of the support information included in your edition. The time you spend reading through your textbook is always well spent. You will find: background information on each chapter's content teaching suggestions ideas for reinforcement and extension tips for addressing the needs of special student populations. But one of the most valuable things you can do with your textbook is to work the actual problems yourself. There is no better, more effective way to improve your content knowledge than by actually doing math. Taking the time to work through problems will help to both refresh and build your mathematics knowledge and will increase your confidence along the way. You may also want to consider obtaining a textbook for the math class that follows yours and work your way through it, just like a student would. Not only will this help you improve your understanding of math concepts, but it will also provide you with a clear picture of where your students are headed in their future math classes. 2. Join Professional Mathematics Organizations Professional organizations, such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) are wonderful resources for math teachers. You may want to consider joining an organization, such as NCTM. Members receive great benefits, including subscriptions to professional journals and magazines. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School or Mathematics Teacher, published by NCTM, are wonderful resources. These magazines will help you increase your mathematics content knowledge and will give you many great ideas for new lessons and effective instructional strategies to try. Most professional organizations, like NCTM, also have Web sites that contain a wealth of valuable resources. A great place to start is by reviewing the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, located on the NCTM Web site. 3. Look to Your State Department of Education Your state department of education can provide many resources to help your understanding of mathematics content. It can also provide helpful guides to the standards that your students are expected to master. A great place to start is your state department of education Web site. Most states offer Web sites that contain many resources for teachers. You can usually print a copy of your state standards directly from the Web site. Take the time to carefully read through not only the standards for your grade or subject, but also for the grade/subject below and above what you teach. This will provide you with a bird's eye view of the spectrum of skills and knowledge that your students experience. In addition to standards documents, your state department of education Web site will likely have other resources, such as practice tests, to help you understand and implement your mathematics standards. Many states release standardized tests from previous years for use as practice tests. These tests are not just helpful for your students—they are great practice for you as well. If your particular state does not have some of these resources available, do not hesitate to look around at a few other state Web sites. While another state's standards may not be applicable to your instruction, there can be other valuable resources available on these Web sites. 4. Network with Colleagues Sometimes the best help can be found right in your own building. Your fellow teachers can be a great resource and an excellent support system. Find time to meet with your colleagues to share ideas, tips, and successful lessons and strategies. Talk about recent observations of students and their struggles or discoveries. Share your experiences with others and listen to theirs as you gain insight and understanding in how your students learn. Observe other teachers in action—this can be one of the most powerful tools to improve your own teaching. Find a friendly mentor who is willing to let you observe his or her lessons. The time you spend doing this can be invaluable and will not only give you instructional ideas, but will also help you understand how students learn mathematics and where they may have common misunderstandings. 5. Attend Conferences and Workshops It can be beneficial to explore the professional development offerings from your school district. Many offer great workshops that are convenient and at a low cost. You may want to try setting a goal of taking one workshop a semester. In addition to the content knowledge learned in these workshops, you will also get to spend time with fellow teachers in your own district. Training is usually aligned with local curriculum goals and discussions with workshop participants can be very valuable. Another terrific professional development opportunity for those who are able, is to attend a national or state conference for mathematics teachers. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics holds a large annual conference, as well as smaller regional conferences throughout the year. Attending these conferences can be an extremely valuable way to stay inspired and motivated. 6. Enroll in Mathematics Classes Local community colleges or adult education programs can be a great place to take a brush-up course on algebra, geometry, or other similar topic. If you have the time, this can be an effective way to add to your content knowledge. You can also find online courses and tutorials that may be more convenient for you. Some community colleges offer distance learning courses in mathematics. Check to see if this is an option with your local community college. This article was contributed by Heidi Janzen, a former classroom teacher and mathematics specialist. She now works as an educational consultant in the areas of professional development, curriculum, standards, and assessment.