# Lesson 88: Number patterns

🧮 MATH (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Numbers and Counting

← Back to Level 1

## Objective

I can notice and continue simple number patterns. I can say what comes next in a pattern and talk about the rule using words like skip and count.

## Materials

- Small objects to make patterns (blocks, beads, crayons, coins)
- Number cards or sticky notes (0–20 or 0–50)
- A strip of paper or string as a simple number line
- Pencil and notebook or scrap paper

## Mini-lesson — What is a number pattern?

A pattern is something that happens again and again in the same way. A number pattern is a list of numbers that follow a rule.

Repeating patterns

- The numbers repeat in the same order.
- Example: 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4, …
- The rule could be “2 then 4 repeat”.

Growing patterns

- The numbers get bigger in a steady way.
- Example: 3, 5, 7, 9, …
- The rule could be “add 2 each time”.

Using skip counting

- Skip counting makes a number pattern.
- 2, 4, 6, 8, … is a “count by 2s” pattern.
- 5, 10, 15, 20, … is a “count by 5s” pattern.

To find what comes next, think about the rule: What do we do to get from one number to the next? Do we add 1? add 2? add 5? Or do the numbers repeat?

Picture strip: Shape pattern and number pattern

Shape pattern

Number pattern

## Guided Practice — Build and read number patterns

You will use objects and numbers to make your own patterns. Then you use the tracing pad to write the most important pattern words.

1. Make a repeating pattern: Use two colors of blocks (for example, red and blue). Make a pattern like red, blue, red, blue, red, blue. Say the pattern out loud.
2. Turn it into a number pattern: Put a 2 card under red and a 4 card under blue. Read it as 2, 4, 2, 4, …
3. Make a growing pattern: On your number line, choose 3 or 4 numbers that grow by the same amount, like 3, 5, 7, 9 (grow by 2) or 5, 10, 15, 20 (grow by 5).
4. Say the rule: Point to your growing pattern and tell a helper what you did each time (for example, “I skip by 2” or “I count by 5”).
5. Write in your notebook: Copy one repeating pattern and one growing pattern using numbers.
6. Use the tracing pad: Choose two or three words or numbers from the list (like pattern, next, rule, or 2, 4, 6, 8) and trace them on the pad.
7. Add a tiny picture: Next to the word pattern, draw a very short number pattern like “2, 4, 6”. Circle the number that should come next.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Practice 1 — Repeating number patterns

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 1]

## Practice 2 — Growing number patterns

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 2]

## Practice 3 — Tell the rule

[PLACEHOLDER PRACTICE 3]

## Quick Check — Number patterns

Answer each question about number patterns. You may look back at the mini-lesson or your number line.

1) What is a number pattern?

Numbers in a random list Numbers that follow a rule Numbers with funny faces
A number pattern has a rule that tells how it goes.

2) Which pattern is a repeating pattern?

2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 5, 7, 9, 11
2 and 4 repeat again and again.

3) Which pattern is a growing pattern?

3, 3, 3, 3 6, 2, 9, 1 4, 6, 8, 10
4, 6, 8, 10 grow by 2 each time.

4) In the pattern 2, 4, 6, 8, … what is the rule?

add 1 each time add 2 each time add 5 each time
We skip by 2s: +2 each time.

5) What comes next in the pattern 3, 5, 7, 9, …?

10 11 11
The rule is +2, so 9 + 2 = 11.

6) What comes next in the pattern 5, 10, 15, 20, …?

25 22 24
We add 5 each time; 20 + 5 = 25.

7) In the pattern 1, 3, 5, 7, … what is the rule?

add 1 add 2 add 5
We skip by 2s from one odd number to the next.

8) Which pattern is “count by 10s”?

2, 4, 6, 8 3, 6, 9, 12 10, 20, 30, 40
10, 20, 30, 40 go up by 10s.

9) You see the pattern 4, 8, 12, … What comes next?

16 14 18
We add 4 each time; 12 + 4 = 16.

10) In a repeating pattern, the numbers…

grow bigger each time go again and again the same way are always zero
Repeating patterns use the same order over and over.

11) The pattern is 2, 5, 8, 11, … What do you do each time?

add 1 add 2 add 3
2 → 5 → 8 → 11 grows by 3 each step.

12) Which words help you talk about a pattern?

pattern, next, rule chair, table, door cat, dog, bird
Pattern words help explain how the numbers go.

13) Why is skip counting by 2s a pattern?

The numbers are random We add the same amount, 2, each time We sometimes add and sometimes subtract
A pattern has a rule, and here the rule is “add 2”.

14) The pattern is 9, 7, 5, 3, … What is happening?

add 2 each time add 1 each time subtract 2 each time
The numbers go down by 2: 9 − 2 = 7, 7 − 2 = 5, etc.

15) Why do we learn about number patterns?

To see number rules and guess what comes next To make counting harder So we never have to count again
Patterns help us see rules and predict the next number.

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Student can notice a simple repeating number pattern. Student can notice a simple growing number pattern. Student can say what comes next in a number pattern. Student can use skip counting to talk about a pattern (for example, count by 2s or 5s). Student can use words like pattern, next, and rule to explain how the pattern works.

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can follow and make number patterns easily. 🙂 I understand some patterns but still need more practice. 😅 Number patterns still feel tricky for me.

#### Next time I will practise…

Repeating patterns with two numbers Growing patterns that add 2 or 5 Saying the rule for a pattern
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