Implementing The Core: This is not a parenthetical remark...

-3a^2+4b+c; a=-3,b=-2,c=-1
Step One:  -3(  )^2+4(  )+(  )

Note that I'm recommending this BEFORE the numbers go in!

Do you share my belief in the critical role of (  ) in evaluating algebraic expressions?

OR

Are you thinking this is too much detail and most students don't need to do this?

And I haven't even gotten to replacing -7-3 by (-7)+(-3)!