Unit Guide

Reasoning with Factors: Developing Algebraic Thinking In Middle School

Kimberly Givens

This unit will focus on working with factors, factor pairs, and multiples and how to implement those as strategic tools for solving algebraic problems. Since factors and multiples are a common thread throughout the Common Core State Standards beginning in the elementary grades and continuing through the high school level, this unit can be used in a variety of grade levels and with both identified and non-identified students. This unit was designed with an eighth grade special education group of students served in Setting A for mathematics instruction in mind, but could also benefit students in lower grades beginning to develop their understanding of these concepts as well as students in higher grades returning to these as strategies when working with more complex mathematical concepts. This unit will help to develop understanding and build resources for my special education students to be able to effectively problem solve in the general education classroom working on grade-level content. This unit includes a series of short daily activating strategies that can be quickly implemented in the classroom as well as larger classroom and group lessons including visuals, hands-on activities, and songs to reach students with a variety of learning modalities.