Determining the Greatest Common Factor With "Hockey's Youngest Star"

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

6

Overview

In this interactive activity, students will be introduced to the concept of the greatest common factor (GCF) in a fun and engaging way. The activity revolves around an exciting article featuring NHL hockey star Nathan MacKinnon and his remarkable achievements in the sport. As students read the article, they will encounter five intriguing questions about MacKinnon's life and career. Using GCF, students will deduce the correct answers from the given choices. The primary goal of this activity is to introduce students to the concept of GCF and spark their curiosity through real-life scenarios involving a well-known sports figure allowing students to connect mathematical concepts with their interests and experiences, creating an enjoyable and relatable learning experience.

This learning activity was created as a result of the ALEX - Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) Resource Development Summit

Phase

Before/Engage
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 6

MA19.6.8

Find the greatest common factor (GCF) and least common multiple (LCM) of two or more whole numbers.

UP:MA19.6.8

Vocabulary

  • Greatest common factor
  • Least common multiple
  • Exponential Form
  • Prime Factorization
  • Factors
  • Multiples
  • Prime
  • Relatively Prime
  • Composite

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Strategies for determining the greatest common factor of two or more numbers,
  • Strategies for determining the least common multiple of two or more numbers,
  • Strategies for determining the prime factorization of a number.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Apply strategies for determining greatest common factors and least common multiples.
  • Apply strategies for determining the product of a number's prime factors in multiple forms which include exponential form and standard form.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Determining when two numbers have no common factors other than one means they are considered relatively prime.
  • Composing and decomposing numbers provides insights into relationships among numbers.

Learning Objectives

Students will use their knowledge of factors and multiples to find the greatest common factor (GCF).

 

Activity Details

1. Begin by asking students if they have heard of Nathan MacKinnon or any other NHL stars. Share some interesting facts about MacKinnon's achievements, highlighting his record-breaking moments.

2. Explain that students will read an article from Alabama Virtual Library about MacKinnon and answer questions related to his life and career, incorporating the concept of the greatest common factor. After reading, they will be presented with five questions from the article, each associated with two sets of numbers representing potential answers. Students will use their knowledge of GCF to find the correct answer to each question.

3. Provide students with copies of the article, paper to write down their solutions, and ask the students to read the article independently or in pairs.

4. Display the first question on the board: "Q: How old were you when you started skating?" and the given options with GCF of two numbers.

5. Discuss how to find the GCF using the "List all the factors" method described in the article.

6. After students have attempted to find the GCF for the first question, divide them into small groups to discuss their answers. Encourage students to share their thought processes and how they arrived at their solutions.

7. Facilitate group discussions to ensure all students understand how to calculate the GCF correctly.

8. Bring the class back together and review the correct GCF for the first question as a whole group.

9. Continue displaying the next question with its respective options on the board. Repeat the process, allowing students to work in groups, discuss their answers, and review each question as a class. 

10. Summarize the key points of the activity, emphasizing the concept of GCF and its application in solving problems.

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will review the students' answers to the five questions about Nathan MacKinnon's life and check if they correctly found the greatest common factor for each set of numbers. This will help assess their understanding of GCF and prior knowledge. 

Acceleration

For students who grasp the concept quickly and show proficiency, provide them with a challenge extension. Assign them a set of higher-level problems that require them to find GCFs of larger numbers or solve more complex mathematical equations involving GCFs. Encourage them to explain their reasoning and strategies used to find the GCFs. This extension will deepen their understanding and provide an opportunity for advanced problem-solving skills.

Intervention

For students who need help understanding the concept, provide additional support and scaffolding. Break down the process step by step, using manipulatives or visual aids to make it more concrete. Offer extra practice problems with smaller numbers to build their confidence and gradually increase the complexity. Provide individual or small-group instruction, offering frequent opportunities for guided practice and immediate feedback. Use questioning techniques to help them think through the process and guide them toward the correct answers.

Background / Preparation

For Students: Prior to the activity, students should have a basic understanding of multiplication and factors. They should be familiar with the concept of factors, which are numbers that divide evenly into another number without leaving a remainder. 

For the Teacher: Print and/or digital copies of the article. Teachers should prepare materials for the activity prior to the lesson. They should also familiarize themselves with the content and questions in the activity to facilitate classroom discussions and provide necessary guidance to students.

 

Learning Activity (Before)

Determining the Greatest Common Factor With "Hockey's Youngest Star"

Total Duration

31 to 45 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)

Determining the Greatest Common Factor With "Who Is...The Greatest?"

Learning Activity (After)

Determining the Greatest Common Factor With "Jason's the Greatest"

Materials and Resources

1. Interactive whiteboard or projector: Utilize an interactive whiteboard or projector to display the set of whole numbers to the whole class. This will allow for easier visualization and group discussions.

2. Manipulatives (optional): Consider using manipulatives such as counters, cubes, or other math manipulatives to provide a hands-on experience for students while exploring factor pairs. These manipulatives can help students visualize the concept of factors and make connections.

3. Pens or pencils: Ensure students have writing utensils such as pencils or pens to work on and write down their solutions.

4. Sticky notes, individual dry-erase boards, student notebooks, or index cards for students to record their factor pairs, GCFs, and LCMs.

5. Print and/or digital copies of the article

 

Explora for Middle Schools
https://research.ebsco.com/c/rhvhzv/viewer/html/juw6gxj7ev

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

mgsaboyd
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