Math Dictionary Sections: (6) Number Theory
Upcoming Assessments: WWU Quiz 2 (Wed. 10/20/10); Number Theory & Fractions Quiz (Fri. 10/22/10)
Students wrapped up the Order of Operations unit on Monday with a quiz, which was returned on Friday after absent students had a chance to make it up. Students who received an "N" (Not Yet Mastered) for their grade were told to make corrections and turn the quiz back in to earn back points. Many of these students made small computation errors but have shown they grasp the concept. Others that are still struggling with the concept received (or will receive) one-on-one help with me during classtime.
On Tuesday we began our unit on Number Theory, which entails a brief review of divisibility rules, prime and composite numbers, factors with Greatest Common Factor (GCF), and multiples with Least Common Multiple (LCM). With our new math dictionary section, students included a Sieve of Eratosthenes, which they used to "find" all of the prime numbers less than 100. Many students understand the concept of prime and composite but mix up the vocabulary terms. To help with this, we watched a short clip of the Transformer Optimus Prime® during his transformation. This was connected to prime numbers by discussing how Optimus Prime can be two things (a truck or a robot) while prime numbers have two factors (one and itself).
This led into our discussion and work on Prime Factorization and how it relates to GCF and LCM. With this, we reviewed the method they were taught in elementary school for finding GCF/LCM (listing the factors/multiples and comparing what they have in common). Students were also introduced to the "old school" method of using Factor Trees and a Venn diagram to compare which prime "parts" numbers share. While some students may prefer using this method or creating lists, most have chosen to use the "newer" Slide Method (AKA Upside Down Division or Birthday Cake Division) that was also taught. This method is usually much quicker and easier, allowing them to find both for two or more numbers all at once. The unit will carry over into next week when we review and expand our understanding of fractions and will be wrapped up with a quiz on both Number Theory and Fractions on Friday. Another spiral review quiz (WWU2) will also be given next week, touching on our previous units in order to keep everything fresh in their minds.
Number Theory Glog by Ms. Lambert
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