I am

highlighting the snowflake method because it is shocking how quickly my students pick up factoring polynomials with the snowflake method.  I covered factoring polynomials in a week using this method.  I simply taught the steps and gave them 150 problems for homework.  They complained a little but they did it and trust me, every child in my algebra class knows how to snowflake a polynomial!

I will add this disclaimer: 

Yes I know it is a math “trick” and one can argue that we are finding shortcuts for our students rather than actually teaching them concepts. However,  my response will always be, “I don't believe you have taught in a severally impoverished school where the state tests mean everything.  Because if you have, then you would understand that teaching this method enables a senior to pass her state test and actually have a chance at getting her high school diploma.”  I don't like that I teach "tricks" and I try not to do it.  But there comes a time when you realize, "Well this child is 17 and if they don't know what -1 but 5 I just don't know if they ever will."    

    Check out this YouTube video that explains the basics for snowflaking any quadratic. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbteAIqUlY

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