Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers Poster
Congratulations on your purchase of this Really Good
Stuff® Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers
Poster—a colorful reference for reviewing how to compare
prime and composite numbers.
This Really Good Stuff® product includes:
• Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers Poster
• This Really Good Stuff® Activity Guide
Displaying the Comparing Prime and Composite
Numbers Poster
Before displaying the Comparing Prime and Composite
Numbers Poster, make copies of this Really Good Stuff®
Activity Guide and file the pages for future use. Or,
download another copy of it from our Web site at
www.reallygoodstuff.com. Hang the Poster where
students will be able to see it easily.
Introducing the Comparing Prime and Composite
Numbers Poster
Pointing to the Poster, explain that you will be using the
Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers Poster to
help students remember the difference between a prime
and composite number. Remind students that a prime
number is a positive integer with only two factors—itself
and one. Review that a composite number is a positive
integer with more than two factors. Tell students that
the number 1 is neither a prime nor a composite
number—it isn’t prime because it doesn’t have exactly
two different factors, and it isn’t composite because it
doesn’t have more than two factors. The number 1 is a
special case.
Point out that the prime numbers are highlighted in red
on the Poster and that the composite numbers are
highlighted in blue. Ask students if they notice any
patterns. For example, they might say that all of the
prime numbers are uneven except for the number 2 or
that all of the multiples of 10 are composite numbers.
Indicate how the Comparing Prime and Composite
Numbers Poster can help students with numbers greater
than 30. For example, the numbers 10, 15, 20, 25, and
30 are highlighted in blue just like all of the composite
numbers on the Poster, which means that multiples of 5
beyond 30 are also composite numbers.
Prime and Composite Numbers Reproducible
Copy and distribute the Prime and Composite Numbers
Reproducible. Using the Comparing Prime and Composite
Numbers Poster as a reference, model how to complete
the first two problems on the reproducible. As you model,
urge students to help you classify each number as prime
or composite. Have volunteers find the factors for each
number. Instruct students to classify the remaining eight
problems as prime or composite numbers, referring to the
Poster but only if they need help with their answers.
Collect the reproducible for assessment purposes.
Prime and Composite Numbers Memory Game
Copy and distribute the Prime and Composite Numbers
Memory Game Reproducible along with a zippered
plastic bag. Have students cut apart their set of
cards and store them in the bag. Encourage students
to fold and keep the directions inside the bag so that
they can easily refer to them. Using the Comparing
Prime and Composite Numbers Poster as a reference,
instruct students to use their cards to follow along
as you demonstrate how to play the game. After
students are familiar with the Prime and Composite
Numbers Memory Game, place it in a math center.
Variation: For students who need a little extra help,
make a separate deck of cards using numbers that
have fewer factors.
Prime vs. Composite Number Hunt Reproducible
Copy the Prime vs. Composite Number Hunt Reproducible
onto a transparency, and make copies for half of your
class. Divide your class into pairs and distribute the
reproducible—one to each partnership. Using an overhead
projector, display the reproducible so that everyone can
see it. Point to the reproducible and tell students that
they are going to become number hunters. Referring to
the Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers Poster,
review prime and composite numbers.
Tell partners that they are to take turns crossing out
the composite numbers using a blue crayon and circling
the prime numbers using a red crayon. For every prime
number they cross out, they get three points and for
every composite number they circle, they get one point.
The player with the most points at the end wins. Play
a couple of rounds with the class to make sure that
students understand how to play. Encourage them to
use the Comparing Prime and Composite Numbers
Poster as a reference as they play the game.
Variation: For those students who need a little extra
help, cut or fold the hundreds chart in half so that
they only search for prime or composite numbers 1
through 50.
All activity guides can be found online:
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2011 Really Good Stuff
®
1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in USA #159599
Prime and Composite Numbers Reproducible
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2011 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in USA #159599
Prime and Composite Numbers Memory Game Reproducible
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2011 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in USA #159599
Prime vs. Composite Number Hunt Reproducible
Helping Teachers Make A Difference®
© 2011 Really Good Stuff® 1-800-366-1920 www.reallygoodstuff.com Made in USA #159599