A factor list is a great teaching tool. You can do so many things with it and start some wonderful conversations about patterns and high order thinking. You can also teach basics with a factor list as well. Not only that, but it is a great reference tool.
Here, I have provided the first page of the factor list from one to one hundred. What fun would it be for you if I provided the entire thing? Although, if there is enough call for it, I will make it available either for free or for a small fee. Just let me know if you are interested. Thank you.
Anyway, I will tell you how to create your own or have students create their own. What I do is number four pages one through one hundred. (That makes 25 numbers on each page. This can also be done in two pages with two columns on each page.) Then, it is just a matter of counting off. I start with the ones and go down the rows.... one, one, one, one, one, one..... and on and on. (All the numbers have one as the first factor.) Then, I start with two and on every second number put a two... all the way to one hundred. Then, I start with three and on every third number put a three.
If you are doing it with a class, it might be a good time to talk about prime numbers. Help the students to see that two and three only have two factors. Maybe have them guess how many prime numbers there will be between one and one hundred. Ask how they came up with their guesses. Maybe ask if two other consecutive numbers will be prime numbers and ask why or why not.
Then, I go onto to four. I start with four and put a four on every fourth number. This goes on and on until the whole factor list is filled out.
To me, this is the most organized way to create the factor list. It can be done by just writing the factors for each number. However, it may be easier to miss a number that way. Although, it might be fun to do it one way during one class and the other way during a second class to compare. Find out which way the students found easier.
The factor list can be used in talking about LCM (least common multiples) or in discussing GCF (greatest common factors.) It can be used for discussing composite and prime numbers, or even multiplication and division facts. Yes, these are basic facts. Yet, the higher order thinking comes in the quality of pre-questioning you pose, like in the case of how many prime numbers between one and one hundred. Have students try to find patterns with the factor list. Another good pre-question that may be interesting is to ask students which number will have the most factors and how they came to their conclusion. Some students may guess that the higher the number the more factors it has. But... as they will see, that isn't necessarily the case.
Don't feel rushed through a lesson like this. It has so many skills it can address and reinforce. It is worth while to take your time as long as you present it in a way that holds the attention of your audience.
Here, I have provided the first page of the factor list from one to one hundred. What fun would it be for you if I provided the entire thing? Although, if there is enough call for it, I will make it available either for free or for a small fee. Just let me know if you are interested. Thank you.
Anyway, I will tell you how to create your own or have students create their own. What I do is number four pages one through one hundred. (That makes 25 numbers on each page. This can also be done in two pages with two columns on each page.) Then, it is just a matter of counting off. I start with the ones and go down the rows.... one, one, one, one, one, one..... and on and on. (All the numbers have one as the first factor.) Then, I start with two and on every second number put a two... all the way to one hundred. Then, I start with three and on every third number put a three.
If you are doing it with a class, it might be a good time to talk about prime numbers. Help the students to see that two and three only have two factors. Maybe have them guess how many prime numbers there will be between one and one hundred. Ask how they came up with their guesses. Maybe ask if two other consecutive numbers will be prime numbers and ask why or why not.
Then, I go onto to four. I start with four and put a four on every fourth number. This goes on and on until the whole factor list is filled out.
To me, this is the most organized way to create the factor list. It can be done by just writing the factors for each number. However, it may be easier to miss a number that way. Although, it might be fun to do it one way during one class and the other way during a second class to compare. Find out which way the students found easier.
The factor list can be used in talking about LCM (least common multiples) or in discussing GCF (greatest common factors.) It can be used for discussing composite and prime numbers, or even multiplication and division facts. Yes, these are basic facts. Yet, the higher order thinking comes in the quality of pre-questioning you pose, like in the case of how many prime numbers between one and one hundred. Have students try to find patterns with the factor list. Another good pre-question that may be interesting is to ask students which number will have the most factors and how they came to their conclusion. Some students may guess that the higher the number the more factors it has. But... as they will see, that isn't necessarily the case.
Don't feel rushed through a lesson like this. It has so many skills it can address and reinforce. It is worth while to take your time as long as you present it in a way that holds the attention of your audience.
Please, Tell Me Your Thoughts
I would like to know your thoughts. Was this helpful? What other skills would you like me to address?
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