Lesson Plan #: AELP-ALG0003
Submitted by: Jeff Barrett
Email: barrettjeff51@hotmail.com
School/University/Affiliation: Lakeview Jr.-Sr. High School Date: May 31, 1999
Grade Level(s): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Adult/Continuing Education
Subject(s):
- Mathematics/Algebra
Duration: 1 class session Description: I cannot take credit for the smiling man. It was presented to me in a pre-algebra class many years ago. It is used in factoring an expression as well as a FOIL method substitute.
Goals: Students will engage in factoring problems.
Objectives: The students will factor trinomials with 90% accuracy and use the smiling man to check if the factoring is done correctly.
Materials:
- pencils and paper
Procedure: Usually given by board examples and teacher lead discussions.
FOIL: (x+2) (x+3)
If done correctly you see two arched lines forming something like eyebrows. The outer facing ( ) form loosely the ears, and the lines facing up in a U-shaped pattern where the two numbers are added form the nose and mouth. Students should get the following result when combining terms: x2 +5x +6.
Give students the following trinomial and have them factor it, checking their results using the smiling man: x2 -5x +6
Assessment: Informally assess students during class work. Ask for volunteers to go to the board to demonstrate the smiling man technique.
Special Comments: I have used this extensively with at-risk students in prep. for their GED and found it to be quite a good memory trick.