Exploring Number Patterns and Sequences
Year 3 Mathematics Discovering patterns all around us Learning to predict and describe number rules
What Are Number Patterns?
A number pattern is a sequence that follows a rule Numbers that repeat in a special order We can predict what comes next! Examples: 2, 4, 6, 8... or 5, 10, 15, 20...
Pattern Detective Warm-Up
Let's count together! Skip count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8... Skip count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20... Skip count by 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40... Use claps and movements!
Finding Missing Numbers
Sometimes patterns have missing pieces We can use the rule to find them Example: 2, __, 6, 8, __, 12 What numbers are missing? The rule is 'add 2' each time
Hands-On Pattern Building
Work with a partner Use counters or beads to build patterns Start with 3, add 2 each time Show your pattern: 3, 5, 7, 9... Can you continue it?
Pattern Rules: Forward and Backward
{"left":"Going Forward: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30\nRule: Add 5\nGoing Backward: 30, 25, 20, 15, 10","right":"Rule: Subtract 5\nSame pattern, different direction!\nWe can count both ways"}
Pattern Challenge
Look at this pattern: 4, 8, 12, __, 20, __ What numbers are missing? What is the rule? Can you continue the pattern to 32?
What We Learned Today
Number patterns follow rules We can find missing numbers using the rule Patterns work forward AND backward We can predict what comes next Patterns are everywhere in math!