GACE Elementary Education (P-5) (702) study plan
GACE Elementary Education (P-5) (702) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Reading and Language Arts
Map the Reading and Language Arts domain into its major sub-areas (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and speaking/listening) and rate your confidence in each
Define and give an original classroom example of each of the five essential components of reading
Distinguish phonological awareness from phonemic awareness and identify the sequence of phonological skill development
Build a personal glossary of 25 key literacy terms with your own definitions
Your checkpoint
A one-page literacy sub-area confidence map plus a 25-term self-written glossary
Reading and Language Arts
Sequence phonics skills from letter-sound correspondence through multisyllabic decoding
Classify a set of 20 words by syllable type and explain the decoding rule each illustrates
Compare analytic versus synthetic phonics approaches and describe when each is used
Explain how decodable text differs from predictable text and justify when to use each
Your checkpoint
A word-analysis worksheet of 20 words sorted by syllable type with rule explanations
Reading and Language Arts
Differentiate the three tiers of vocabulary and generate original examples for each tier
Describe research-based comprehension strategies (predicting, questioning, summarizing, text structure, monitoring) and match each to a grade band
Explain the difference between narrative and informational text structures and identify signal words for each
Outline the stages of the writing process and one instructional technique for each stage
Your checkpoint
A two-column chart pairing six comprehension strategies with a P-5 grade band and a sample prompt for each
Reading and Language Arts & Mathematics
Explain how formal and informal reading assessments differ and what each measures
Interpret a running record or miscue analysis to name a reader's strengths and next instructional step
Review place value, whole-number operations, and fraction concepts and solve 15 mixed practice problems without notes
Identify the developmental progression from concrete to representational to abstract in early math instruction
Your checkpoint
A written interpretation of one sample running record plus a scored 15-problem math practice set with error notes
Mathematics
Solve multi-step word problems involving fractions, decimals, and percents and justify each step
Compute perimeter, area, and volume for common shapes and explain the formula for each
Classify two- and three-dimensional figures by their defining attributes
Describe how to teach data representation and interpretation (tables, bar graphs, line plots) at the P-5 level
Explain the difference between a mathematical misconception and a computational error and give one example of each
Your checkpoint
A 20-problem math assessment you write yourself, with a worked solution and a common-error note for each item
Science & Social Studies
Outline the core ideas of each elementary science strand (life, Earth/space, physical) and one hands-on investigation for each
Apply the steps of scientific inquiry and identify which step a given classroom scenario illustrates
Sequence major eras and events in U.S. and world history taught at the elementary level
Explain basic geographic concepts (maps, regions, human-environment interaction) and how each is taught in P-5
Describe the structure and purpose of U.S. government at a level appropriate for elementary students
Your checkpoint
A two-page comparison sheet: one science investigation plan and one social studies inquiry plan, each with objectives and assessment
Health, Physical Education, and the Arts & Professional Knowledge and Practice
Summarize key health content (nutrition, hygiene, safety, disease prevention) and one instructional approach for each
Describe the components of a quality elementary physical education program and the benefits of movement across the curriculum
Identify the elements of visual art, music, and drama/dance and one integration idea per art form
Explain major learning theories (behaviorist, constructivist, social learning) and connect each to a classroom practice
Distinguish formative from summative assessment and describe how each informs instruction
Outline legal and ethical responsibilities of teachers, including confidentiality and mandated reporting
Your checkpoint
An integrated lesson sketch that combines one arts standard, one health or PE standard, and one assessment strategy
Reading and Language Arts & Mathematics & Science & Social Studies & Health, Physical Education, and the Arts & Professional Knowledge and Practice
Complete two full-length timed practice tests and record your score by domain
Rank all six domains by score and build a targeted review list for the three weakest
Re-teach yourself the five concepts you missed most often, writing a plain-language explanation for each
Practice pacing: complete 40 mixed items in 50 minutes with at least 80% accuracy
Your checkpoint
A domain score tracker from both practice tests plus a one-page remediation plan for the three lowest-scoring domains
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80% on a self-made 20-item phonics and phonological awareness quiz
Week 4: Complete the full Reading and Language Arts review with a confidence rating of 3 or higher on every sub-area
Week 5: Score at least 75% on the self-written 20-problem math assessment without notes
Week 6: Explain one science and one social studies concept aloud in under two minutes each, without notes
Week 7: Complete the integrated lesson sketch and pass a self-check against all six domain checklists
Week 8: Achieve at least 75% overall on both full-length practice tests with no domain below 65%