ABSTRACT
Recognizing and writing quadratic equations is truly a challenge for middle school students who are accustomed to only working with linear equations. When students are presented with opportunities to model and draw pictorial representations of quadratic situations, the transition to working with quadratics is much less threatening. It is important that all students recognize that quadratics are based on squares, are written with an exponent of two, and when graphed have a maximum or minimum vertex. For students who need more scaffolding, it is helpful to work with the students to solve simpler problems by helping them understand it is advantageous to break the problem down into smaller parts.
