Still Having Fun with Factors (and a number freebie)

We're still having fun with factors and multiples in the classroom.  We've been doing all hands-on and engaging activities - we haven't cracked open our textbooks once this unit.  I've heard so many "math is SO fun" comments lately, it's put a permanent smile on my face during math time.  I can't wait to see our results on our final assessment - hopefully this will all pay off!

Last night I made up a set of numbers (0 - 100) to print off on magnetic paper.  I thought it would be easy to find a set ready to print, but after searching for a while, I decided to make up my own.  In case you've had a similar problem, I've uploaded them to google docs so you can print them off if you want them.  Just click on the picture to the right to get your own copy.

I plan to shrink these down, print them off on regular paper, and laminate them so I can have some sets for my math centers (not looking forward to all that cutting, though).

OK - so this is how we used these numbers today.  We started off by reviewing factors, prime factorization, and multiples on the SMARTboard.  I set up a page with dice and a chart.  We rolled a two-digit number and as a whole class, came up with the factors, prime factors and multiples.

We then reviewed the G.C.F.  We went back to our math journals and looked up our venn diagrams from last week (click HERE) to see them.

I had taped a set of my Venn Diagram circles to the blackboard.  I LOVE these circles - I use them for so many different purposes in the classroom.  I've seen other teachers use hula hoops for large Venn Diagrams, but these are so handy!  They're light enough to tape to a wall or black/white board, and they fold up for easy storage.  I have a set of 15 so we can use them in small groups, too.

I handed out about 5 or 6 of my magnetic numbers to each student (we used the whole set - 0 - 100) and wrote a question about G.C.F. on the blackboard.  Students then had to work out the factors of each number and find the G.C.F.  They then checked through their magnetic numbers to see if they had any of the factors.  If they did, they had to put their numbers on the blackboard in the proper spots on the Venn Diagram.  They loved this activity.  We went through about 4 examples as a whole class before students ended the class with their independent work.  They are really getting this concept - if only their basic multiplication facts weren't holding them back.  I'm throwing in some flashcard practice and skip counting whenever I can through the day right now.  Does anybody else have this problem???  I have grade 5/6 so I expect that they come to me already knowing their facts.  Unfortunately, this is NOT the case right now.  <sigh>  Oh well, at least they're loving math.  That's the first step, right?

Interactive Math Journal

Interactive Math Journal 2

Building Better Math Responses

Math Concept Posters

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