Mathematics / Year 3 / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Describe, continue, and create number patterns resulting from performing addition or subtraction (ACMNA060)

Elaborations
  • identifying and writing the rules for number patterns
  • describing a rule for a number pattern, then creating the pattern
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Number patterns

Online

Repeating and growing patterns: Year 2 – planning tool

This planning resource for Year 2 is for the topic of Repeating and growing patterns. Students continue to appreciate and observe how patterns are present throughout mathematics. They recognise, describe and create additive patterns that grow or shrink by a constant amount. They also identify missing elements in pattern sequences.

Downloadable

Algebra: Foundation to Year 9

This comprehensive resource describes the progression of algebra-related ideas and algebraic thinking. The resource demonstrates examples of relevant teaching strategies, investigations, activity plans and connected concepts in algebra including teaching and cultural implications.

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Pattern & Algebra Year 2 - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover if students can use numbers to describe a pattern that it written as a description. From here we are interested in finding out if students can interpret the pattern, discover the rule and apply this rule to find missing or future terms.

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Space Race Game (Introducing Algorithmic Thinking) - Calculate

Space Race is a simple board game that teachers can use to introduce the concept of algorithmic sequencing to students. The teaching points provided with the game assist teachers to introduce the use of an algorithm (a simple set of mathematical instructions) to describe the trajectory of an object across a grid plane from ...

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Pass The Count - Calculate

This game allows students to practice their skip counting skills in small groups.

Video

Fun with fractals

Do you know how to recognise a fractal? Watch this video to find out! What are the examples given of fractals found in nature? Can you think of any others? Why not have a go at doing your own drawing of the Sierpinski Triangle?

Online

reSolve: Algebra: Number Sequences

This sequence of lessons aims to build students' algebraic thinking through explorations of additive number patterns. Students are challenged to solve problems to generate patterns, explore strategies for addition and subtraction and apply their skills to constructing their own new patterns.The lessons are outlined in detail ...

Video

What is a fractal?

Do you know what a fractal is? Basically, fractals are never-ending patterns created by repeated mathematical equations. In this clip, Yuliya, a student at MIT (in the USA) describes the properties of fractals and shows you where they can be found in technology and nature. Have a good look at the world around you and see ...

Interactive

Musical number patterns: musical times

Make some music by building up rhythms from four instruments. Make a counting rule that matches a pattern on a number line. Select the start number and then select a number to count by. For example, describe a sound pattern where a saxophone waits on the first note, and then plays on every eighth note. Add a second number ...

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Patterns Year 2 - Calculate

The focus of this activity is on patterns and algorithmic thinking. The lesson aims to encourage students to explore problems with limited assistance from the teacher. Although the teacher asks questions and can prompt learning, the students will investigate the problem using their own strategies.

Interactive

Sites2See: Patterns and Algebra

Selected links to a range of interactive online resources for the study of patterns and algebra in Foundation to Year 6 Mathematics.

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See & Say - Calculate

This class warm-up game focuses on practising addition and subtraction strategies and developing algebraic thinking by using a rule applied to a list of numbers.

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MoneySmart: The house of needs and wants

This is a unit of work integrating aspects of the mathematics, English and science curriculums around planning a school breakfast. The unit was written for year 3 and is intended to take about 12 hours. It consists of 11 student activities supported by teacher notes on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. Student activities ...

Interactive

Waste and materials – sustainability action process (Years 3–6)

This resource guides students through an extended school-based or local investigation focussed on waste and materials using the five-step sustainability action process. The resource supports the investigation of a real-world issue or problem. Students develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate ...

Online

TIMES Module 1: Number and Algebra: counting and place value - teacher guide

This is a 16-page guide for teachers. It is a module introducing the concept of place value.

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Making maths: Rangoli designs

This resource is a web page containing an activity about symmetrical patterns that are used to decorate traditional Indian clothing and architecture. The patterns contain line and/or rotational symmetry. Students can examine the patterns and identify the type of symmetry present in each one. This resource is one of a series ...

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Cuisenaire Rods Lesson Plan - Calculate

This lessons explores the use of Cuisenaire rods and uses play to introduce them to students.

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Pattern & Algebra Year 3 - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover if students can use numbers to describe a pattern created with objects. We want to encourage students to record what they know about the pattern in a table and then use this information to help predict future terms and identify the rule or function for the pattern. At this stage, ...

Interactive

Wishball: hundreds

Test your understanding of place value with three-digit numbers. Start with a three-digit whole number such as 507. A spinner provides a randomly generated digit. Choose its place value and add it to (or subtract it from) your starting number. Work towards a given target number, say 539, using other digits. You can choose ...

Interactive

The array

Use an array-building tool to help solve multiplications. Explore strategies to break up multiplications. Create and solve easy multiplications such as 9x3. Examine relationships between rows, columns and areas in arrays.