You will learn
- List factors.
- List multiples.
- Use divisibility rules.
- Tell prime from composite.
Version 0.1 · published for early use · expert review pending Standards alignment: pending verification. Not yet reviewed against the Courseversity scorecard.
Student lesson
Words to know
Divides exactly.
Product of a number and a whole number.
Exactly two factors.
More than two factors.
1. Discover: equal groups
You have 24 sweets. In how many ways can they be shared into equal groups?
2. Understand: factors and multiples
- Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24.
- Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, …
- Divisible by 3 if the digit sum is a multiple of 3: 24 → 2 + 4 = 6, yes.
- 13 has only factors 1 and 13, so it is prime; 24 is composite.
3. Explore: factor pairs
You need paper.
- Try 1, 2, 3 in turn.
- Write pairs.
- Stop when they meet.
- List in order.
Think about it: what did you notice?
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24.
4. Practise
Guided practice
Question 1. Is 8 a factor of 24?
Yes.
Question 2. Fourth multiple of 6?
24.
Question 3. Is 13 prime?
Yes.
Independent practice
- Factors of 18
- First four multiples of 7
- Is 51 divisible by 3?
- Is 15 prime?
- Is 1 a prime number?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
5. Apply: everyday mathematics
24 pupils form equal rows. Give three possible row lengths.
Show a sample answer
For example 3, 4, 6.
6. Common mistake
Fix: 1 has only one factor, so it is not prime.
7. Check and master
Answer all questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
8. Key takeaways
- Factors divide exactly.
- Multiples go on forever.
- Prime: two factors only.
9. Next lesson
Next lesson: Prime factorisation. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Printable worksheet
- Factors of 18
- Fourth multiple of 7
- Is 51 divisible by 3?
- Is 15 prime?
- Is 1 prime?
Homework
List the factors of 30 and 36.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Factors of 18 | 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18 | 2 |
| Fourth multiple of 7 | 28 | 2 |
| Is 51 divisible by 3? | yes | 2 |
| Is 15 prime? | no | 2 |
| Is 1 prime? | no | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18; 2 28; 3 yes; 4 no; 5 no.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, challenge C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 List factors | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 List multiples | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Use divisibility rules | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Tell prime from composite | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Proposed Courseversity thresholds for this page: Bronze = at least 3 of 5 core questions correct; Silver = all 5; Gold = all 5 plus the challenge. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Calling 1 a prime. 1 has only one factor, so it is not prime.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Factor pairs to 24.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: list factors; list multiples; use divisibility rules; tell prime from composite.
Prerequisite knowledge. Times tables.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 35–45 minutes.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). You need paper. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Calling 1 a prime. 1 has only one factor, so it is not prime.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer key above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Factor pairs to 24. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
Alignment is pending verification and no external endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Specific standard codes will be added once checked against the official documents.