Prime, Composite, factors

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Home : 2004 : January : 19

Prime, Composite, factors
By Suzie

I have a great lesson that teaches all of these concepts. I refer to it all year and the kids remember because it is hands on. It sounds more comples than it is. If I am not clear please email me.
Use grid paper and
color tiles. Colors do not matter. Start with one tile. Ask them to draw it on the grid paper. They then label it a 1 x 1 by putting a 1 on the top of their drawing and a 1 down the side. Explain that 1x1=1 tile. Next have them make all the shapes they can with 2 tiles. Sides must connect. No corner connections. They then label 1x2 on their drawing. Point out that a 2x1 and a 1x2

are the same shape just turned around. Next do 3 tiles and then 4. When you get to 4 tiles they will make a 1x4 and a 2x2. They must make all the ways they can without duplicating. I have them continue until they are using 24 tiles. This may take a little work each day but it is worth it in the end. Once you have checked their papers have them highlite all of the shapes that only had one way to make it. These are prime numbers. Composite numbers will be the numbers that took more that one way to make it. Then on another day you intoduce factors. Take the number 12 for example. They can look at their papers to see a 1x12 2x6 and a 3x4. These are the factors possible to get a 12. You can also highligt on another day the square numbers 2x2 3x3 4x4 5x5....Great lesson with a lot of understanding.