Finding Proper Factors
Brian Roska
EdTech 506-4172
Dr. Yu-Chang Hsu
Summer 2012
Lesson Title: Finding Proper Factors
Grade Level / Subject Area: 6th Grade Mathematics
Time allotted for the lesson: 1 class period or 60-90 minutes
Lesson Description:
This lesson provides students an opportunity to learn about factors by creating factor rainbows and
factor trees. Students will become familiar with factors of numbers and review multiplication and
division of whole numbers.
Core Standards met in this lesson:
This lesson covers the following Number System Standard for 6th grade as set forth by the Common Core
State Standards for Mathematics:
Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.
•
6.NS.3. Fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit decimals using the standard
algorithm for each operation.
Instructional Objectives:
• Become familiar with factors of numbers.
• Review multiplication and division of whole numbers.
• Begin to recognize the difference between prime numbers and composite numbers.
• Relate dividing and finding factors of a number.
Instructional Procedures:
Lesson Launch: The lesson will start with a small discussion about how factors and divisors can
be multiplied by another whole number to get another number. Example questions may be: 1.
What factors can you multiply to get a product of 15?, 2. What numbers divide 15 evenly? and 3.
How are these lists related? When the students are observed to have a good idea of what a
factor is move on to the lesson.
Techniques and activities:
• Begin with direct instruction showing examples of a factor tree.
Start with a number and continue to find the factors that multiply
evenly into each number until you have broken down the original
number into only prime factors.
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•
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Allow time for Guided Practice as the students work on a few practice problems either
alone or in pairs. (Remember, anytime kids are talking about Math it is a good thing! Do
not discourage kids from working things out together!) Check informally for
understanding.
Use direct instruction to show examples of finding
the factors of a number and organizing them with
a factor rainbow.
Allow time for Guided Practice as the students
work on a few practice problems either alone or
in pairs. Check informally for understanding.
Lesson Closure: The students will complete this lesson with an activity of ten questions to be
completed either independently or in pairs. The questions worked on will be checked as a class at
the beginning of the next class period.
Adaptations for special learners: Adaptations will be made for those learners needing
accommodations per an IEP or 504. Any remediation needed will be aided by calculators,
multiplication charts or peer tutoring.
Supplemental Activities: Extension and remediation is accomplished using peer tutoring during
the class time as students work with one another. If students are paired in the classroom effectively,
the students who need assistance are provided remediation from those students who benefit from
extension activities. Students who need more significant activities will be dealt with on a one to one
basis with the instructor.
Assessment/Evaluation: Students will be working on the following questions:
 Create a factor tree for the number 36 and write the prime factors as a factor string.
 Create a factor rainbow for the number 48.
 How can you test to determine whether a number is a factor of another number?
 If you know a factor of a number, can you find another factor? Explain your thinking.
 Give an example of a number that has many factors and an example of a number that
has few factors.
 Using a factor tree or rainbow make a list of the factors of 18. Make a list of the divisors
of 18. Are the factors of a number also divisors of the number? Explain your thinking.
 How do you know when you have found all the factors of a number?
 Create a factor tree for the number 56 and write the prime factors as a factor string.
 Create a factor rainbow for the number 24.
 Do you like to use and a factor tree or a factor rainbow? Explain your thinking.
Students will be assessed on this lesson through informal observation as well as the
following 4 point rubric for the problems.
4 pts.
3 pts.
2 pts.
1 pt.
9-10 questions
correct
7-8 questions
correct
4-6 questions
correct
< 4 questions
correct
Learner Products: Students will be completing ten questions from this lesson that will be
recorded in their student notebook.
* Note for learners: This lesson plan template is adapted from the model that is recommended in the
book Preparing to Use Technology: A Practical Guide for Technology Integration.