Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers

How well do your students understand prime and composite numbers? After students learn to determine the factors of a number, they will be able to learn about the difference between prime and composite numbers. When reviewing this topic with your students, you may be in need of additional activities to help them solidify their understanding. 

Teach Starter has created a set of 24 task cards for your students to practice determining if a number has 3 or more factors, otherwise known as a composite number, or if it only has 2. Students will work on this skill by looking at a series of numbers to determine a prime or composite number, solving word problems, and determining if a single number is prime or composite.

Through this activity, students will show they can identify prime and composite numbers through 100.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your math lessons.

In addition to individual student work time, use this set of task cards to enhance learning through guided math groups, whole class lessons, or remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

If there are students who need support with the material, provide them with a multiplication chart to help them identify if a particular number has factors other than itself and 1.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

For students who need an additional challenge, students can try to list as many prime numbers as they can in 1 minute.

🛴 Scoot Activity 

Place the cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign students or pairs to a starting point card. Give students time to review the card and record their answers in the corresponding space on their paper. Students will rotate to the next card when you say, “SCOOT!” Continue in this manner until students return to their starting point. 

👋 Exit Ticket 

Use these cards as a formative assessment after your lesson. Pick a random assortment of cards and project them on the board for the whole class to see. Students can record their answers on a sheet of paper, sticky note, or their notebook. 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks, punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Sustainability Tip: Print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them. 

This resource was created by Cassandra Friesen, a teacher in Colorado and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet

A worksheet to practice the relationship between factors and prime and composite numbers.

teaching resource

Prime and Composite Numbers Poster Pack

Distinguish between prime and composite numbers with this set of different rainbow-themed math posters.

teaching resource

Prime and Composite Number Sort

Identify prime and composite numbers by sorting 30 number cards into their proper category.