Learning Targets

Standard: CCSS 6.NS.B.2–4 Time: ~35 min Materials: This activity (device or printed) Grade 6
Teacher Notes (not printed)

Pacing

  • Launch (5 min): Review factor vs. multiple with a quick call-and-response: "Name a factor of 12… name a multiple of 4."
  • Station work (20–25 min): Students work through Stations 1–6 sequentially. Stations 5–6 (distributive property) typically take the longest.
  • Debrief (5–10 min): Display Station 6 on board; ask: "How does factoring out the GCF connect to the distributive property?"

Grouping Suggestions

  • Partners: Stations 1–2 (GCF/LCM) — students can verify by listing multiples/factors together.
  • Individual: Stations 3–6 for decimal computation and algebraic reasoning accountability.

Differentiation — Support

  • Provide a multiplication chart for Stations 3–4 (decimal operations).
  • For GCF (Station 1): scaffold with a factor rainbow or a Venn diagram for factors of 24 and 36.
  • For LCM (Station 2): let students list multiples of 4 and 6 up to 30 on paper.
  • Allow students to use grid paper for decimal placement in Stations 3–4.

Differentiation — Challenge

  • Ask: "Can you find the LCM of 4 and 6 using prime factorization? Compare your method."
  • Extension for Station 6: factor 30 + 45 using the GCF. What is the GCF? Write it in factored form.
  • Ask: "For Station 5, verify your answer by expanding: does 8×5 + 8×2 = 8×7?"

ESOL / Language Supports

  • Post a bilingual word wall: factor / factor, multiple / múltiplo, GCF / máximo común divisor, LCM / mínimo común múltiplo.
  • Use visual representations: draw factor pairs as rectangles for GCF; draw a number line for LCM jumps.
  • Allow the student to say the answer aloud or write it in their home language for the reflection.
Unit 4 · Factory Line Architect

Build the Order: Factors, Multiples & Decimals

You run the packing plant. Set each machine correctly to fill every order. Standard 6.NS.B.2–4.

What to do: Work through the 6 stations. Click chips or type numbers to set each machine, then press Check My Factory at the bottom to grade your work.
Stations set: 0 / 6
Greatest Common Factor

Station 1 · Box Stacker

We pack 24 red parts and 36 blue parts into equal boxes. Click the biggest number that divides BOTH 24 and 36 (the GCF).
Your GCF: —

Hint: List the factors of 24 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24) and 36 (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36). The biggest shared factor is the GCF.

Least Common Multiple

Station 2 · Belt Timer

Belt A beeps every 4 seconds. Belt B beeps every 6 seconds. Click the smallest time when they beep together (the LCM).
Your LCM: —

Hint: Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16… Multiples of 6: 6, 12, 18… The first number in both lists is the LCM.

Multiply Decimals

Station 3 · Weigh Station

Each part weighs 1.4 kg. You pack 2.5 boxes of them. Type the total weight: 1.4 × 2.5.

Tip: 14 × 25 = 350, then place the decimal point (2 decimal places total → 3.50 = 3.5).

Divide Decimals

Station 4 · Splitter

A 9.6 kg crate is split into 4 equal bags. Type the weight of one bag: 9.6 ÷ 4.

Tip: Think 96 ÷ 4 = 24, then move the decimal one place left → 2.4.

Distributive Property

Station 5 · Order Splitter

Rewrite 8 × (5 + 2) as the SUM of two products. Fill the box so it equals 8 × 5 + 8 × ?.
8 × (5 + 2) = 8 × 5 + 8 ×

The distributive property distributes the 8 to each term inside the parentheses. The second term inside is 2.

GCF + Distributive Property

Station 6 · Master Pack

Factor out the GCF of 18 + 24. The GCF is 6. Type the two numbers inside the parentheses so it equals 6 × (? + ?).
18 + 24 = 6 × ( + )

18 ÷ 6 = ? and 24 ÷ 6 = ? Check: 6 × (your two numbers) should equal 42.

Scoring Rubric

Level Score Description
4 — Exceeds 7 / 7 All 7 items correct. Fluently applies GCF, LCM, decimal operations, and the distributive property. Station 6 both boxes correct with precise factoring.
3 — Meets 5–6 / 7 GCF and LCM correct; decimal work mostly accurate; may have one error in distributive property (e.g., reverses the two terms in Station 6 or makes a small arithmetic slip).
2 — Approaching 3–4 / 7 Some GCF/LCM or decimal items correct, but errors indicate partial conceptual understanding (e.g., selects a common factor for GCF that is not the greatest, or misplaces the decimal in Station 3–4).
1 — Beginning 0–2 / 7 Attempts made but few correct answers. Student needs direct instruction on factor vs. multiple and decimal place-value concepts before re-attempt.
Answer Key (not printed)

Station 1 — GCF of 24 and 36

Answer: 12. Factors of 24: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24. Factors of 36: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36. Greatest shared factor = 12. (18 is a factor of 36 only, not of 24.)

Station 2 — LCM of 4 and 6

Answer: 12. Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12. Multiples of 6: 6, 12. First common multiple = 12. (24 is also a common multiple but not the least.)

Station 3 — Decimal Multiplication: 1.4 × 2.5

Answer: 3.5. Method: 14 × 25 = 350. Count decimal places: 1 (in 1.4) + 1 (in 2.5) = 2 total. Place decimal two places from the right: 350 → 3.50 = 3.5.

Station 4 — Decimal Division: 9.6 ÷ 4

Answer: 2.4. Method: 96 ÷ 4 = 24. Re-insert decimal (9.6 has one decimal place): 2.4. Check: 4 × 2.4 = 9.6. ✓

Station 5 — Distributive Property: 8 × (5 + 2) = 8 × 5 + 8 × ?

Answer: 2. The distributive property: a(b + c) = ab + ac. Here, 8 × (5 + 2) = 8 × 5 + 8 × 2 = 40 + 16 = 56. Check: 8 × 7 = 56. ✓

Station 6 — GCF + Distributive: 18 + 24 = 6 × (? + ?)

First box: 3. Second box: 4. GCF of 18 and 24 = 6. 18 ÷ 6 = 3. 24 ÷ 6 = 4. So 18 + 24 = 6 × (3 + 4) = 6 × 7 = 42. Check: 18 + 24 = 42. ✓

Reflection

Deliverable: Enter your name in the field above, complete all 6 stations, write your reflection, then press Check My Factory to submit and save your score as a PDF or DOC.