Summary
In this lesson, students leverage their prior knowledge of numerical long division, factoring, and graphing as a foundation for exploring polynomial division. The lesson formalizes student knowledge of polynomial long division, covering both scenarios with and without remainders. Through active practice solving polynomials by graphing, factoring, and division, students solidify their understanding. To enhance the learning, conduct interviews to encourage communication and reflection.
Essential Question(s)
What is your preferred way to solve polynomial equations?
Snapshot
Engage
Students will review numerical long division and use prior knowledge about polynomials to determine if statements are always, sometimes, or never true.
Explore
Students will use their knowledge to simplify and solve polynomial equations.
Explain
Students will showcase their prior knowledge and then formalize their knowledge of polynomial long-division through guided notes.
Extend
Students will work independently to practice solving polynomial division problems.
Evaluate
Students will interview a peer over the independent practice to dive more deeply into their knowledge of the content.
Materials
Lesson Slides (attached)
Polynomial Preview (2 pages attached; 1/2 page per group)
Polynomial Preivew Teacher Resource (attached)
Navigating the Great Divide (2 pages attached; 1 set per student)
Navigating the Great Divide Teacher Resource (attached)
Equation Expedition (2 pages attached; 1 per student)
Equation Expedition Teacher Resource (attached)
Math Interview (2 pages attached; 2 pages per student)
Pencil
Paper
Graphing Calculator
Engage
15 Minute(s)
Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide this lesson.
Start on slide 2 and progress through slide 4 to introduce the lesson, essential question, and learning objectives.
Move to slide 5, introduce the Tell Me Everything strategy, and ask each student to get out a piece of paper and pencil. Instruct the students to look at the division problem on the slide and write down everything they know about the problem. Use the example prompts on the slide to guide student thinking.
Transition to slide 7 and introduce the Always, Sometimes, or Never True strategy to the class. On each slide, ask students to determine if the statement in red is always, sometimes, or never true. Once students have made a decision about the statement, have all students stand and hold a brief conversation about the choices students have made. After a brief conversation, move the red circle on the slide to cover one of the incorrect answers and ask the students who chose that answer to sit down. Continue the conversation to determine which of the two remaining solutions is correct before moving the second red circle over the other incorrect answer to reveal the correct answer. Continue this process on each slide until slide 11.
Explore
10 Minute(s)
Move to slide 12 and divide the class into four or eight equal groups, depending on the class size. Give each group 1/4th of the attached Polynomial Preview Handout to complete together.
Review the instructions for this activity with the class, and then start the timer to initiate group work. As groups work, rotate about the room to keep students on task and answer any questions. Use the attached Polynomial Preview Teacher Resource document to guide students learning.
Once the timer is finished, move to slide 13 and inform the groups that they will work out either the simplify or solve problem from their handout for the entire class. Give students about 1 minute to decide which problem they will work out before moving to the next slide.
Explain
25 Minute(s)
Ask each group to refer to the top of their handout to determine which group number they are and use slide 14 through slide 17 for each group to come to the board and work out a solution from their handout by writing directly on the slide. After each group, review the answer with the whole class to clear up any misconceptions and ensure that the correct answer is written on the board.
After students have showcased their knowledge, ask everyone to return to their seats and pass out the attached Navigating the Great Divide handout. Progress from slide 18 through slide 36 to model solving polynomial division problems with and without a remainder algebraically.
Progress from slides 37 through slide 64 to model solving polynomials through graphing, factoring, and dividing.
Progress from slide 65 through slide 83 to model a scenario when polynomial division is needed to find the roots of a function. Ask students to work out the examples on their paper as they appear on the screen. Utilize the attached Navigating the Great Divide Teacher Resource as needed.
Extend
15 Minute(s)
Transition to slide 84, introduce the Elbow Partners strategy, give each pair a set of the attached Equation Expedition handout, and ask each student to take 1 piece of paper. Instruct students to work independently on the 3 practice problems on their paper using prior knowledge and the completed guided notes as reference.
Start a timer to indicate the beginning of this activity.
While students work, walk around the room to ensure students stay on task and clear up any misconceptions as needed. Use the attached Equation Expedition Teacher Resource document as a reference.
Evaluate
20 Minute(s)
When the timer has stopped, move to slide 85. Ask students to look at the top of their handout to identify if they are partner A or partner B. Have students move their desks to face their elbow partner.
Using the Math Interview strategy, give each student a copy of the attached Math Interview handout and review the instructions on the slide for the students to understand the activity.
Each student will be assigned a role as either Partner A or Partner B based on the heading of their handout. Partner A will start by interviewing Partner B first by asking the questions on the Math Interview handout. When answering the questions, Partner B will look at their Equation Expedition handout and answer based on their responses. Once the interview is complete, Partner B will get their Math Interview handout and ask it to Partner A, who will answer the questions based on the answers on their Equation Expedition handout.
Once the math interview is complete, both students can correct or adjust answers on their Equation Expedition handout before turning in their practice problem and math interview to a designated location based on classroom procedures.
Resources
K20 Center. (n.d.). Always, sometimes, or never true. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/145
K20 Center. (n.d.). Elbow partners. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/116
K20 Center. (n.d.). Math interview. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/3296
K20 Center. (n.d.). Tell me everything. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/107