Multiples & Factors Fun

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🔍 Lesson Overview

Lesson Title: Applying Knowledge: Multiples and Factors Game
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Year Level: Year 5 & 6
Unit: Mastering Multiples & Factors – Lesson 5 of 5
Teacher Style: Relaxed, conversational, with short bursts of explicit teaching and time for student exploration
Class Size: 16 students
Class Context: Small rural school with a wide range of abilities; importance placed on differentiation, student voice, collaboration, and agency

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🧭 Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum – Mathematics (ACARA v9):

• Year 5:

  • ACMNA098: Identify and describe factors and multiples of whole numbers and use them to solve problems.

• Year 6:

  • ACMNA123: Investigate and apply digital and written efficient strategies to solve problems involving multiplication and division.

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🎯 Learning Intention

WALT:
We Are Learning To apply our knowledge of multiples and factors to solve mathematical challenges through collaborative gameplay.

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✅ Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• ✅ Identify factors and multiples accurately in a game scenario
• ✅ Work collaboratively to problem-solve using mathematical reasoning
• ✅ Use mathematical vocabulary to explain their thinking
• ✅ Show perseverance and strategic thinking during challenges

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🛠 Materials/Preparation

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laminated game boards (1 per pair)
• Dice (2 per pair)
• Sets of "Challenge Cards" (Factors & Multiples themed)
• Timers or stopwatches for each pair
• Scrap paper for working out
• Stickers or tokens as game rewards
• A "Leaderboard" sheet if using a points system

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⏱ Lesson Breakdown (45 minutes)

1. Welcome & Warm-Up (5 mins)

• Greet students warmly and re-cap yesterday’s learning. Ask:

  “Who can remind us what a multiple is? And what’s a factor?”

• Use student voice: Ask two students to give an example of when they used their understanding of multiples or factors during the week (in or out of school).
• Pose a quick-fire “Maths Blast”:
  • Is 6 a multiple of 2?
  • Name a factor of 20.
  • True or False: 7 is a factor of 56?

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2. Game Setup: Explanation & Demo (5 mins)

Say:

“Today, you're going to become Maths Masters in a challenge game that mixes strategy, speed and smarts. Together, we're going to crack puzzles using everything we know about multiples and factors!”

• Display a sample game board on the board.
• Model a practice round with a volunteer.
• Emphasise key behaviours: clear thinking, maths talk, collaboration.
• Allow students to select their own pairs, or strategically pair based on ability and social dynamics.

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3. The Game: 'Factor Frenzy Showdown' (25 mins)

Game Objective:
Earn points by solving factor and multiple-based challenges. Most points = winning pair!

Structure:

• Each pair starts at “Level 1” and progresses by solving challenges.
• One partner rolls two dice to determine a number between 2 and 12.
• Pick a Challenge Card from the matching number stack (e.g., roll a 6 → draw a Card 6).
• Complete what’s on the card (e.g. “List 5 multiples of 6 that are also even”).
• Earn a token/sticker for completed challenge.
• Challenges vary in difficulty – pairs can choose to take on “Double Points Challenges” (harder cards) if they wish!

Differentiation in Cards:

• Green Cards: Entry-level challenges involving listing or identifying multiples/factors
• Blue Cards: Mid-level problem-solving (e.g. reasoning, true/false)
• Gold Cards: Extension-level challenges (involving constraints or multiple steps)

Student Agency Option:
Pairs can select challenge difficulty (Green, Blue, Gold), encouraging them to self-assess and stretch themselves.

Facilitator Role for Teacher:
Walks around, prompts with questions:

• “How do you know that’s a factor?”
• “Could there be another multiple that fits this?”
• “What strategy are you using?”

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4. Sharing & Reflecting (7 mins)

Gather class in a collaborative circle. Ask questions like:

• “Who had a hard challenge today? How did you work through it?”
• “Which strategies helped you find multiples or factors faster?”
• “What made your partnership successful today?”

Allow a few pairs to share their favourite challenge and how they solved it.

Display the Leaderboard (if used) and celebrate effort, teamwork, and resilience over winning.

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5. Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket (3 mins)

On a sticky note or mini whiteboard, students answer:

🟡 “Something new I learned about factors or multiples today…”
🔵 “A challenge I solved by thinking strategically was…”

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🔁 Differentiation Strategies

Support for Learners Who Need It:

• Work with “green” challenge cards
• Visual factor trees & multiplication charts available at tables
• Peer support encouraged
• Option to use counters or number lines to visualise multiples

Challenge for Extension Students:

• Encouraged to tackle “gold” cards
• Create their own challenge cards for the class (if they finish early)
• Try playing a “Silent Round” where they must communicate solutions non-verbally – relies on written and visual representation

Student Voice Options:

• Choice of challenge difficulty
• Choose how to track their progress – sticker chart or points
• Create their own bonus rules for extra complexity (e.g. “Double or nothing round”)

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📌 Teacher Tips

• Use humour and casual language to keep the atmosphere light and playful – “Maths Olympics”, “Multiples Mayhem”, etc.
• Look for teachable moments and celebrate student-led breakthroughs
• Allow the competitive angle to naturally motivate students but centre on collaboration
• Capture evidence of learning by photographing whiteboard thinking or asking pairs to narrate their solutions into a class tablet

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🌱 Optional Extension Activity

“Design Your Own Challenge” Mini Project

Advanced learners can design three of their own multiples/factors challenges (including solutions) to contribute to a new class deck for next term!

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🎓 Conclusion

This lesson aims to wrap the unit in a high-energy, engaging, and inclusive way where each student feels capable, motivated, and connected. By embedding choice, collaboration and celebration, students deepen their understanding while owning the learning process.

Congratulations – your students are now officially Multiples & Factors Masters! 🏅