Concept Attainment Model Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: Finding Factor Pairs

Targeted Grade Level: 4th Grade

Academic Subject: Math

Lesson Goals:

Students will learn how to find factor pairs for whole numbers and determine if they are prime or
composite numbers.

Lesson Objectives:

 Students will explore examples of prime and composite numbers.

 Students will select examples and non-examples (YES/NO) factor pairs including prime
and composite numbers.

Materials/Resources Needed:

 YES and NO card labels.

 Math journals
 Math vocabulary words (prime number, composite number, factor, divisible, etc.)
 Pencils and erasers
 Dry erase board and dry erase markers
 Worksheets (Prime vs Composite Numbers picture visuals)

Lesson Components:

Phase One: Presentation of Data and Identification of Concept

Before beginning the lesson, the teacher should review key concepts and definitions of prime and
composite numbers with the class. Prime numbers can be multiplied by the number 1 and itself
only. Whereas composite numbers can be multiplied by other numbers, 1 and itself. For example,
9 is a composite number because it can be multiplied by 3; 3 x 3 = 9. Next, the teacher should
begin the lesson by presenting labeled examples for factors which are whole numbers that we

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EDUC 6330 | Lesson Plan Template
can multiply together to get another number. For example, the number the teacher could do a
factor tree for the number 45 and show that 5 x 9 = 45. Additionally, the teacher can identify 5 as
a prime number and 9 as a composite number.

Next, the teacher has the students compare attributes of numbers to determine if they are factor
pairs using positive (for this class positives will be factor pairs that include composite numbers)
and negative (for this class negative will be factor pairs that include prime numbers) examples.
For example, the “YES” label is used for 118 as a factor pair because if students multiply 2 x 59,
they will get 118 or if students were to divide 118 by 2, they will get 59 etc. However, “NO” is
used for 97 because only 1 and itself can be multiplied together to get 97. The teacher will
provide a few more numbers that students can use to determine factor pairs that can or cannot be
multiplied or divided by other numbers other than 1 and itself. The teacher will encourage
students to discuss the differences between the factor pairs.

Next, students can generate and test their hypotheses by determining what attributes separate the
YES responses from the No responses to themselves to encourage individual critical thinking.
The teacher will ask the class “What is your hypothesis? The teacher will provide more YES and
No examples for the class to work through. The teacher will elicit a deeper discussion on why the
class believes their hypothesis is accurate. Lastly, the teacher and students will clarify
vocabulary based upon what the teacher provided as well as the responses provided by the
students.

Phase Two: Testing Attainment of the Concept

During Phase Two students will identify more YES and No factor pairs on their own. The
teacher will state “Can you provide new examples of YES/NO factor pairs?
Students will further generate hypotheses, concepts, and definitions just as in phase one.

Phase Three: Analysis of Thinking Strategies

During phase three students should describe their thinking strategies behind YES and No factor
pairs. Identifying patterns in coming up with their strategies to determine their hypotheses, what
the students did when their hypotheses could not be supported, and strategies that students used
or revised to effectively come up with factor pairs that include composite numbers.

Evaluation:

Student’s performance will be evaluated daily by assigning homework which includes

vocabulary terms, YES and No factor pairs provided by the teacher and YES and No factor pairs
that students will generate on their own. Students will be required to show the strategies to
explain their answer and determine understanding of the content. Additionally, after each phase a
5-question quiz will be provided as well as an end of unit test.

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EDUC 6330 | Lesson Plan Template