Factoring Can be Exciting!

I watched the video titled “Modeling Quadratic Data” from the InTime site.
Donna Schmitt, 9th grade math teacher at Dubuque High School, made the lesson on factoring quadratic equations come alive. This is a concept that I regularly teach in my own algebra course and after watching this video, I now have many new ideas for presenting this topic. She started with a review of what the students have previously learned about different ways of writing quadratic equations. She then outlined what they were going to be doing and what the final outcome would be. Students worked in groups with a worksheet and using previously learned facts and looking for patterns, discovered how to factor quadratic equations. They discussed what they learned and then carried the knowledge to graphing calculators. Using the graphs, they found the x-intercepts and discovered the relationship between the intercepts on the graph and the factors of the quadratic. As they used the calculators, they learned about different functions on the calculator. Factoring and graphs were then applied to a real-life problem concerning maximum area of a fenced in yard given so many feet of fencing. Problem solving techniques were used to come up with the solution. The teacher ended the lesson by having the students take turns jumping up while a machine measured their jumps. Using quadratics and graphs, they came up with the highest jumper and how the rest of the class compared to him on the graph. This lesson incorporated collaboration, active involvement, patterns, connections, and discovery, probing questions by Mrs. Schmitt, constant feedback by Mrs. Schmitt, critical thinking, decision making, real life applications, and technology. WOW! The interesting thing was that when the video first started, the students were sitting with that bored look. By the time the video ended, they were all involved, excited, and learning. They saw that there is a use for quadratic equations and hopefully will discover parabolas all around themselves!