I decided it was time to steal from another post (Part 2: Factor by Grouping) because really, I should have started with Factoring Prep before delving into Greatest Common Factor. There's a reason and a process for everything I do in the classroom. Being that factoring is probably the MOST COMPLEX topic we'll broach all … Continue reading Factoring Part 0: Factoring Prep!
Factoring
Multiplying Polynomials *with boxes*
If you can't tell... I LOVE PROVIDING STRUCTURE (!!!) in math class. I use boxes and circles to combine like terms, squiggly lines to indicate equal signs, and tables to work through transformations of functions. While these structures are not necessary for the honors or highest level students to achieve success in math, I've found … Continue reading Multiplying Polynomials *with boxes*
Factoring Part 3: Trinomials
Good morning! Isn't summer vacation the best?! Clearly my writing goals didn't happen so much this past school year, so I'm hoping to use some of my free time this summer to blog and add to my Teachers Pay Teachers account. Factoring... Do you find that Algebra 1 kids stare at you with blank looks, … Continue reading Factoring Part 3: Trinomials
Factoring Part 2: Grouping
Happy Thursday everyone! We're just 6 short weeks away from the end of the year, which just blows my mind. There is a *whole* lot to do between now and then. ...BUUUUUT since my last blog post, my Algebra Part 1 students have learned to FULLY FACTOR! I am amazed! These rock-stars are factoring the … Continue reading Factoring Part 2: Grouping
Factoring Part 1: GCF
I won't lie... Quarter 3 completely got away from me. My last post was almost 4 months ago and Quarter 4 starts tomorrow! But better late than never, right? Tomorrow I will begin factoring out the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) with my ESOL Algebra Part 1 kids. (You're probably thinking... what?! Is she crazy?!) So … Continue reading Factoring Part 1: GCF
Prime Factors *with cakes and ladders*
Prime factorization with factor trees (actually, using factor trees in general), in my opinion and experience, is the WORST! Organized kids can usually keep track of what they need to, but many struggling students lose "branches" of their trees and forget that they still need to factor composite numbers like 6. If a kid learned … Continue reading Prime Factors *with cakes and ladders*
Eat, Pray, Solve for X 