I am attaching one of my favorite creations for factoring quadratics. Originally, it only worked when a = 1 and then I realized that if I added a box then it would be an universal graphic organizer (GO). (Sorry, I just can’t call it a worksheet 
) Working with high school students, many of them resisted working with tiles (to factor) because they associated manipulatives with elementary school. I found that a paper/pencil GO was more attractive to teenagers than the tactile experience. However, I do agree that tactile is important, but that’s another post.
The first time I introduced this GO was in 2010 with an Algebra I class that needed extra support. Some students used the GO exclusively and were quite adept at it, other students saw the patterns and factored without the GO. When I first introduced it, each student had the GO in a page protector with a dry erase pen. I projected the GO and wrote directly on the image. It was successful, but I was surprised when students received the assessment that they weren’t sure what “factor” meant. I coached quite a few students by saying, “Remember the box?” Most students were able to factor when given the cue. So, fast forward to 2011, I really emphasized that using the “box” was meant we were Factoring! Definitely worked better.
And this is how the graphic organizer looks filled out, this is from 2010 before I figured out how to put it in the Mobi gallery, so it’s a snapshot of my computer screen. It is also before I figured out how to delete pages before I made them into PDF’s, so scroll down to the 2nd page to see the actual work. I am using the Mobi (mobile mouse), which influenced my handwriting.
So…it took me two days to embed the above document (the second one was SO fast). I wanted to resist Scribd because I have over 100 accounts with passwords and usernames, argh! However, I couldn’t seem to get it to work from Google docs which apparently now is Google Drive (will the changes ever end?). I only saw a link, but not a way to embed. I tried a few times and now am a Scribd member. It is always interesting to find out who is friends with whom in the tech arean. WP and Scribd link so easily together.
I’m going to give this a shot!
It also reminds me of the polynomial factoring cheat sheet that I made for teachers here: http://mathfour.com/algebra/polynomial-factoring-practice-with-youtube (it is below the video)
You inspired me! http://mathfour.com/algebra/factoring-polynomials-free-worksheet
I am so glad that you got inspired!
I like your organizer. I used something like that in my Algebra I class last year. I called it X-box factoring. All freshman take Biology and they go over punnett squares which really helps them with multiplying binomials and then factoring trinomials. If I teach it that way again (I think I might try the “slide and divide” method this year) I will definitely use your organizer!