Multiplication and Division - Factor Pairs - Planning

In Year 4, during the first week of the Spring term's Multiplication and Division unit, students are introduced to the concept of factor pairs. The lesson begins with a starter activity that recaps the importance of understanding multiplication and factors. Students then use counters, worksheets, and a presentation to explore and identify factor pairs for different numbers. The key vocabulary for the lesson is available on a website, with vocabulary cards and definitions to support learning.

The class teaching input includes showing a video that explains what factor pairs are, followed by activities that engage the children in discovering these pairs for themselves. In the first activity, students are shown an image representing the factor pairs of 12, and they discuss what they observe. They then repeat the process for the number 24 and use 20 counters to find all the factor pairs for 20, learning to work systematically. The second activity involves a 'factor bug' where students use the bug's legs to represent the factors of a number, such as 36, and discuss why certain numbers have more factors. The lesson concludes with independent worksheet tasks and a plenary where students reflect on what they have learned, the skills they used, and any challenges they encountered. Differentiated worksheets cater to varying levels of understanding, from those working towards the expected level to those capable of greater depth, ensuring all children are appropriately challenged.