Level 2: Pattern rules

Patterns and sequences · level 2 of 8 · rough age 7-8 (a guide for parents; anyone can start anywhere)

In level 1 you continued patterns by looking. In this level you say their rules in words, like "start at 3 and add 2 each time", and use the rules to find numbers far along a pattern. You count up and down by 5s and 10s, find out why shrinking patterns must stop, discover the stripes and slides hidden in the hundred chart and the addition table, count toothpick shapes in two ways, and translate one pattern between pictures, tables, number lists and sentences.

Lesson	You will be able to
Pattern rules in words	Write the rule for a number pattern with a start and a step, and explain why two numbers are not enough to know the rule
Growing and shrinking	Count up by 5s and down by 10s, tell whether a shrinking pattern will land on 0, and where it must stop
The hundred chart	Explain the stripes and slides made by counting by 2, 3, 5, 9, 10 and 11, and add 9 or 11 with one move
Patterns in the addition table	Find the lines of equal answers, the doubles and the mirror in the addition table, and say why each one is there
Growing shapes	Count the toothpicks in a growing shape in two ways, make a table, and find which shape uses a given number
One pattern, many forms	Show one pattern as objects, a table, a number list and a sentence, and translate from any form to any other

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