Composite Numbers Lesson Plan for 7th Grade Example Students

Topic: Composite Numbers

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understand the concept of composite numbers and how to differentiate them.

Materials

• Whiteboard or chalkboard
• Markers or chalk
• Composite numbers worksheet (provided below)

Warm-Up

• Ask students if they have heard of composite numbers before. What do they know about them? Write their responses on the whiteboard.
• Ask students if they can give an example of a composite number. Write their responses on the whiteboard.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that a composite number is a number that is not prime. Composite numbers can be divided evenly by at least one other number besides themselves and 1.
• Introduce the concept of differentiating a function. Explain that differentiating a function means finding the derivative of the function, which is the function's rate of change.
• Explain that the derivative of a composite number is the sum of the derivative of each of its factors.
• Use the whiteboard to illustrate and explain the process of differentiating a composite number. Use the example of differentiating 25. First, find the derivative of 5, which is -20. Then, find the derivative of 2, which is -10. Finally, add -20 and -10 to get -30, which is the derivative of 25.

Guided Practice

• Give each student a set of function cards and have them work in pairs. Have them choose a function card and differentiate it using the process explained above. They should then check their work by comparing it to the derivative on the back of the card.
• During this activity, circulate and provide guidance as needed. Students may need help understanding the process of differentiating a composite number or in interpreting the derivative on the back of the function card.

Independent Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and have each group choose a different composite number to work with. Have each group find the derivative of their chosen number and create a poster to illustrate their process and the derivative they found.
• Encourage students to be creative and to use a variety of resources, such as pictures, to help them understand and communicate their process.

Closure

• As a class, review the examples and the process for finding the derivative of a composite number.
• Ask students to share their posters with the class and explain their thinking.

Assessment

• Observe students during independent practice and provide feedback on their derivatives and explanations.
• Collect and assess the posters that students created during independent practice.