Teachers of the College Preparatory Math Course will network and plan with other teachers and IHE partners to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment.
Strategies that help students access learning without over-relying on calculators, while simultaneously building strong conceptual understanding
This professional learning session is designed to empower College Prep Math teachers with strategies that help students build strong number sense and flexible thinking—so they can confidently approach math problems without immediately reaching for a calculator. Participants will explore why conceptual understanding is essential for long-term success in mathematics, especially in courses that prepare students for college-level work. Through engaging tasks and modeling, teachers will learn and apply a variety of instructional strategies that make math accessible, encourage mental computation, and support sense-making. Emphasis will be placed on using visual models, estimation, pattern recognition, and reasoning strategies to solve problems efficiently and meaningfully. Educators will leave with ready-to-use techniques and lesson ideas that promote deep mathematical understanding and reduce dependence on rote procedures and calculator shortcuts.