1. Factors: the number 12 can be expressed as the product of two smaller whole numbers as follow:

12 = 1 x 12

12 = 2 x 6

12 = 3 x 4

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 are called factors of 12. We say that 12 is divisible by each of its factors.

2. Multiplies: when a number is multiplied by a non-zero whole number, we get multiple of the number:

The multiple of 3 are: 3×1, 3×2, 3×3, 3×4, 3×5, …

That is: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, …

The multiple of 4 are: 4×1, 4×2, 4×3, 4×4, 4×5, …

That is: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, …

3. Link between factors and multiplies:

Recall 3 and 4 are factors of 12. Interestingly, 12 is a multiple of both 3 and 4. The number 12 is a multiple of each of its factors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.

4. Prime number, composite number, prime factor

• Prime number: a prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that has only two factors. 1 and itself. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, …
• Composite number: a composite number is a whole number greater than 1 that has more than two factors.
• Prime factor: a prime number that is a factor of a composite number is called a prime factor of the composite number.

5. Prime factorization methods:

• Factor tree: teaching on whiteboard in the class
• Continuous division: teaching on whiteboard in the class
• divisibility: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-factors-multiples/pre-algebra-divisibility-tests/v/divisibility-tests-for-2-3-4-5-6-9-10

6. Exponential notation:

Squared, cubed, fourth power, … teaching on whiteboard in the class

7. Home Work:

• Handout: two pages
• Workbook page 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Dear NCLS Math 6A parents,

Welcome to a new NCLS school year! My name is Li Zhen, the teacher for Math 6A class at Newton Chinese School. I am excited to meet your children on this coming Sunday afternoon!

First thing first: what does each student need to bring to the first class? Pencils and/or pens; three note books — one for taking notes in class and class work and two for homework; and most importantly, a Can-Do Attitude.

I’d like to have regular communication with students, parents and my wonderful and very capable Teaching Assistants Iris Yang. You can find a lot of information on my blog and you can find out what we have learned in the class on any given Sunday, and what the homework is for that week:

http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/zhenli/

Please feel free to email me or call me (in evenings) to talk about your concerns, things like the materials we have covered in class; home work load; or just chat like parents. My older daughter has graduated from college, and my younger daughter is a freshman at Harvard University this fall. Here is my contact info:

http://blog.newtonchineseschool.org/zhenli/contact-info/

In the past, we had some 4th graders, 5th graders and mostly 6th graders in class. We’ll get to know each other in the first class. A great group of beautiful children for sure, and they are at the perfect age to learn basic math skills, and most importantly, to shape up their problem-solving abilities. It is my deep believe that every child is smart, every child can learn and every child will exceed our expectations! My ultimate goal is, to encourage and to help our students to develop the love of (the beauty of ) math and the confidence of solving many problems in real world.

With that in mind, I will give a lot homework this year, not only do I believe the students can do it, but also because this is the only way that they can master a certain skill by practicing a lot. In addition to the class handouts and the exercise in the Work Book, I also encourage the students to try some Math Contest problems each week, for fun and challenge.  If the load is too much for a student, the latter can be optional.

My TA will take attendance and correct all the homework. Quiz and exam are given on regular base. The students’ progress and grades will be recorded in each class. Final report will be distributed to each family.

It’s a privilege to work with your child, and I thank you for that!

(PS. Please come to the classroom tomorrow, or at the very least, reply to this email that you have read and been fully aware of our course load.)

Thank you very much!

Li Zhen