What Are Prime and Composite Numbers?

Is this a question that has been buzzing around your classroom? Students probably are familiar with other ways to identify numbers, such as odd and even, multiples, etc., but once they enter year 6, a new set of maths vocabulary terms are introduced. Let’s take a quick look at an easy way to explain these terms to your students!

Prime numbers are numbers that can only be divided by 1 and themselves without leaving a remainder. Examples of prime numbers include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 13.

Composite numbers are numbers that have more than two factors, meaning they can be divided by numbers other than 1 and themselves. Examples of composite numbers include 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12. 

Quick Tips for Your Colour-by-Number Worksheet

This teacher-created worksheet can be a fantastic addition to your maths unit when teaching students about prime and composite numbers.

The directions for this activity are pretty simple. Students will colour all of the composite numbers up to 100 blue and the prime numbers green.

This resource can be used as independent practise after a lesson or together as a whole-class activity in the middle of a lesson. Simply project the worksheet on the dry erase board and colour each number together.

How to Get Your Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet

Are you ready for your students to test out this fun colour-by-number worksheet? Head on over to the green download button and choose between the quick-print PDF document or the editable Google Slides file. If selecting the Google Slides option, please note that you will first be prompted to make a copy of the file to your personal Drive before accessing it.

This resource was created by Lauren Blankenship, a Teach Starter Collaborator.

Extra Activities for Your Prime and Composite Numbers Lessons!

If you want to stock your classroom with additional prime and composite teaching resources, check out our suggestions below!  

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