Multiplication and Division (1) - Common Factors - Planning

In a comprehensive lesson plan tailored for Year 5 students during the autumn term, the concept of common factors is explored within the broader topic of multiplication and division. The lesson utilises a range of resources, including counters, worksheets, and a presentation, to facilitate learning. Key vocabulary such as 'factor', 'common factor', 'arrays', 'product', 'multiply', 'divide', 'divisible', and 'Venn diagram' are introduced, with vocabulary cards and definitions available for support. The lesson begins with a starter activity to review previous learning, followed by class teaching input where students use arrays to identify common factors of two numbers, like 12 and 15. Through systematic exploration and partner discussions, students learn to list factors and use Venn diagrams to visually represent and find common factors, further applying this method with different sets of numbers.

Group activities encourage collaborative learning, where children work together to complete reasoning exercises and share their strategies. Differentiated worksheets are provided for independent learning, ensuring that all students are engaged at their appropriate level of understanding. The lesson aims to clarify potential misconceptions, ensuring students understand the difference between factors and multiples and how to systematically find common factors. The plenary involves a reflective 'Give me five' activity, where students consider what they have learned, the skills they have used, and what they found challenging. They also make a 'pinkie promise' to remember key aspects of the lesson. The differentiated activities cater to varying depths of understanding, from working towards grasping the basics of factors to achieving greater depth by identifying the highest common factor among three numbers. Visual representations and hands-on activities are integral to the lesson, providing a clear and engaging way for students to grasp the concept of common factors.