Students will learn how to factor non-monic quadratics using algebra tiles. Because they already know how to factor monic quadratics using algebra tiles, this skill should be easy to learn. We teach it because it's a good segue to the box method, which is itself a segue to the abstract method.
Conclude by giving your students these challenges:
- Cherry Buns by NRICH
- Which Symbol? by NRICH
- Once Upon a Time by NRICH
- 2008 AMC 8, Problem 20
- 2004 AMC 8, Problem 4