Factoring Made Simple: Self-Paced
In this brief course, we will explore the steps, strategies, and patterns that exist in quadratics to help students to easily decide if it is factorable, and what type of factoring method should be used.
Erin Townley
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(1)
What's included
7 pre-recorded lessons
1 week
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
2-4 hours per week. Students will be given a brief set of problems to practice after each short video. At the end, students will be given a worksheet with a variety of factoring problems to help them continue practicing the skills taught in the class. The homework is not required to be turned in. An answer key will be provided.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Beginner - Intermediate Level
In this course, we will cover how to write a quadratic in standard form and how to follow a systematic process that follows clear steps by answering these questions: 1) Is the quadratic factorable? 2) If so, is there a greatest common factor? 3) Is it a special type of quadratic that can be factored with a formula/pattern? 4) If it is a "regular" quadratic, what are some methods that can help us factor it? Throughout the lesson, students will be given numerous problems to practice the steps in a scaffolded way, so that they can easily answer each of the questions posed above. I will guide them through the processes and highlight what to look for and how to know the best approaches for each problem. Then they will be given the opportunity to work in partners to practice each of the skills while I check in on them and help as needed. Finally, to really solidify their understanding of what it takes to factor quadratics, students will practice creating quadratics that meet different factoring conditions.
Learning Goals
Students will learn what to look for when deciding if a quadratic is factorable.Students will learn the patterns that make a quadratic either a difference of squares or a perfect square trinomial and how to factor them.
Syllabus
7 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Intro to Factoring Quadratics
In this brief lesson, we will introduce the idea of factoring and what the options are for factoring quadratics. Students will be given a flowchart that can help them to approach factoring with a clear strategy to make things easier. 5 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Factoring with GCF
In this lesson, we will cover how to identify and factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms. This should always be the first step to factoring when applicable. 1 assignment
13 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Factoring Binomial Quadratics
In this lesson, we will cover the options for how to factor a quadratic that has only two terms, including the special factor pattern call Difference of Squares. 1 assignment
14 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Factoring Trinomial Quadratics that are Perfect Squares
In this lesson, we will cover how to identify and factor perfect square trinomials. (Note: this is an optional method because this type of quadratic can also be factored using the methods shown in the next two lessons) 1 assignment
11 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Pre-Requisites
Students should have completed a pre-algebra course and have at least some experience with identifying quadratics.
Supply List
Paper Pen or Pencil
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2024
5.0
1reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Texas Teaching Certificate in Mathematics
Master's Degree in Mathematics from University of Houston
I have been teaching and tutoring pre-algebra, algebra 1, and algebra 2, as well as higher level math courses for over 15 years and have noticed two main things:
1) factoring is a huge component in many types of problems and topics throughout high school and beyond.
2) factoring is often the part that students struggle with the most because of inconsistently taught methods and never having it really "click."
I want to use my teaching experience to give students the strongest factoring foundation I can and allow them to move forward in their math education, confident in their ability to factor any quadratic they are given. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$25
for all content7 pre-recorded lessons
1 week of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
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Ages: 11-16
