- Note that unlike in the usual textbook approach, we start with factoring, then go on to the distributive law. This makes sense, because in this environment, students readily understand "make a rectangle", and that lays the groundwork for an explanation of the distributive law that they can actually hear.
- Because it is so important and foundational, there are lots of puzzles, worksheets, and lessons about this in the books — going a lot further than the examples given in the video.
- Possibly useful in discussing all this (after working with the blocks): Multiplying Binomials
- "Make a Box", and all 3D activities are especially popular with students. Most 3D work is in the Algebra 1 book.