I apologize for the chaotic nature of this free math video. I should have sent them out to run around first, apparently! Try to ignore all the random noises and I’m sure you’ll get something out of this!
This is just a brief introduction to the idea of “completing the square.” We will add more to this eventually, but I just want them to get the idea of dividing the coefficient of “x” in half and then squaring that number to complete the square. Obviously they need a few more times of this for it to really sink in!
After factoring polynomials with only one X2, my girls wanted to try it with 2x2 so I let them have at it. This free math video shows what they did…
These ideas come directly from Crewton Ramone’s House of Math. I only learned how to do this two weeks ago. He’s been teaching it for 22 years, so go check out his stuff!
In this free math video we actually use the Pythagorean Theorem to figure out the answers to some problems about slides at a playground. They seem to understand it! I’m sure it will become even more clear over time, but I love seeing how easy Cuisenaire Rods make all of these abstract concepts that many kids struggle with!
Children in middle and high school would benefit from this type of introduction to right triangles, too! I sure wish I would have been taught this way!
