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Mrs. Perez’s Classroom Edit display name

  • Sunset High School
  • Dallas, TX
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

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I teach Pre-AP Algebra I and Algebra II, and I am convinced that the greatest obstacle my students face in mastering advanced algebraic concepts is, drumroll please, basic math! Therefore, I push students to build their number sense and basic math skills (arithmetic and integers), while they simultaneously learn advanced algebra. Rather than solving equations and lecturing about variables and algebraic expressions, I spend the first few days of school re-teaching integers and encouraging students to learn/relearn their multiplication tables until they become second nature. The flashcards and games in my cart will help students practice these skills in a fun way with their peers. The use of increasingly sophisticated calculators in our classrooms, while a great resource, can actually hinder students' learning if the basics haven't been mastered first. As much as I push my students to solve problems and equations for themselves, I find that too often they give in and just type it in the calculator. Why not - the right answer is at their fingertips - and they don't have to do much thinking! And in this lies one of the greatest fallacies of our math teaching and learning - too much emphasis is put on getting the right answer as fast as possible when the real beauty lies in the thinking process and problem-solving strategies that are applied to get to the answer. To eliminate the temptation of letting a fancy advanced calculator to the thinking for them, I want my students only use a basic four-function calculator for at least the first semester. As I always tell them, they can do more than they realize. They just have to allow themselves the opportunity to do so. Seeing them surprise themselves is one of the best parts of my job.

About my class

I teach Pre-AP Algebra I and Algebra II, and I am convinced that the greatest obstacle my students face in mastering advanced algebraic concepts is, drumroll please, basic math! Therefore, I push students to build their number sense and basic math skills (arithmetic and integers), while they simultaneously learn advanced algebra. Rather than solving equations and lecturing about variables and algebraic expressions, I spend the first few days of school re-teaching integers and encouraging students to learn/relearn their multiplication tables until they become second nature. The flashcards and games in my cart will help students practice these skills in a fun way with their peers. The use of increasingly sophisticated calculators in our classrooms, while a great resource, can actually hinder students' learning if the basics haven't been mastered first. As much as I push my students to solve problems and equations for themselves, I find that too often they give in and just type it in the calculator. Why not - the right answer is at their fingertips - and they don't have to do much thinking! And in this lies one of the greatest fallacies of our math teaching and learning - too much emphasis is put on getting the right answer as fast as possible when the real beauty lies in the thinking process and problem-solving strategies that are applied to get to the answer. To eliminate the temptation of letting a fancy advanced calculator to the thinking for them, I want my students only use a basic four-function calculator for at least the first semester. As I always tell them, they can do more than they realize. They just have to allow themselves the opportunity to do so. Seeing them surprise themselves is one of the best parts of my job.

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