Algebra with Maya R.
Winswhat went well
- Used the four steps unaided on the last three problems, the harder kind where the number in front of the squared term is not one.
- Asked why the splitting method works, the first time she has asked that in these sessions.
Insightswhat was noticed
- The gap was never the arithmetic: she was guessing factor pairs rather than splitting the middle term, so a problem that did not resolve in two guesses became a dead end.
- Written as four steps, the method gives her something to follow when a guess fails.
Commitmentswhat they agreed to do
- Practice set four, problems one to twelve, using the four steps rather than guessing.Before Thursday.
- Time herself on five problems, ten minutes, and bring the ones she could not finish.Before the next session.
- Redo the two quiz questions we went through, from a blank page.Done in the session.
Next focuswhat the next session covers
Start the next session with the timed set she brings back. If the four steps hold under time pressure, move on to solving by completing the square. If they do not, spend the first twenty minutes there rather than adding anything new.