Binomials Lesson 4 Episode 1 (Teachers)

Making Sense

Download Math Task

Mauricio and Emily make sense of a new situation in which the length of a given garden is decreased by 4 feet. They make a prediction about how this decrease will affect the area of the new garden. 


Episode Supports

Students’ Conceptual Challenges

Both Mauricio and Emily seemed to understand quickly what the task was asking them to do. However, be on the lookout for students who might not realize that they need to subtract from the length of the original garden. You can ask students to revoice the task with a partner or ask a student to clarify the task with the whole class before moving on.

Focus Questions

For use in a classroom, pause the video and ask this question:

[Pause the video at 0:56] Make your own prediction for the area of the new smaller garden.

Supporting Dialogue

[Pause the video at 1:32] Turn and talk with a partner and discuss how you think Emily and Mauricio arrived at a prediction of 72 ft2. How does their prediction compare to yours?