Mathematics / Foundation / Number and Algebra / Patterns and algebra

Curriculum content descriptions

Sort and classify familiar objects and explain the basis for these classifications. Copy, continue and create patterns with objects and drawings (ACMNA005)

Elaborations
  • observing natural patterns in the world around us
  • creating and describing patterns using materials, sounds, movements or drawings
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Numeracy Numeracy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Classification

Video

Play School: Buttons and shapes

Have you ever looked at the buttons on your clothes? What shapes are they? You will find that most buttons are circles, but sometimes they can come in really different and interesting shapes, sizes and colours! What are some of the button shapes and colours mentioned in this video?

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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The Mathscots: Foundation Level Teaching Guide

This teaching guide provides a range of activities for each of the Mathscots episodes at Foundation Level. The guide contains a summary of the mathematical focus in each episode, a range of scaffolded learning experiences for before, during and after viewing each video, activities for families at home, and sets of printable ...

Video

The Mathscots: Biscuit Patterns

In this animated video, Prime thinks about repeating patterns when Biscuit the Pug visits. The mathematical focus is on creating and describing patterns using materials, sounds, action and drawings; extending patterns left and right using materials and drawings; identifying which part of the pattern is being repeated (unit ...

Video

The Mathscots: Puppy School Obstacle Course

In this animated video, Poly the puppy makes her way through an obstacle course which features 2D shapes and 3D objects. The mathematical focus is on sorting and describing squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, spheres and cubes; recognising 2D shapes within 3D objects; understanding and using terms such as ‘first’ ...

Video

The Mathscots: Obstacle Course at Home

In this animated video, Abacus the cat sets up an indoor obstacle course after seeing a photo of her friend Poly completing an outdoor obstacle course. The mathematical focus is on recognising 2 dimensional shapes and 3 dimensional objects in the environment; analysing 2 dimensional shapes and 3 dimensional objects by comparing ...

Video

The Mathscots: Making Biscuit Patterns

In this animated video, Prime the puppy and Abacus the cat have fun making repeating patterns using 2 dimensional shapes. The mathematical focus is on recognising, copying, continuing and creating repeating patterns based on the attributes and properties of 2 dimensional shapes and the quantity of elements in the pattern ...

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Pass The Count - Calculate

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

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Pattern & Algebra Foundation - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover if students can make, copy, continue and explain repeating patterns. Often students will only be asked to continue patterns to the right, but ensure you ask students to continue patterns to the left. Like the number sequence a pattern can extend in both directions.

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Whisper Whisper Loud - Calculate

This game explores number sequences and practises skip counting.

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Making Shapes (Foundation lesson) - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to encourage students to check their shape to ensure/prove that it is a hexagon. Students need to develop an understanding that good mathematicians find solutions to problems, check to see if their solution is correct and explain their thinking.

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Shapes: Which One Doesn't Belong? - Calculate

The focus of this activity is to discover what students know shapes, including their features and properties. What language are students using to describe and sort shapes? How can we as teachers help students increase their shape vocabulary?

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Stand up, sit down - Calculate

This game focuses on listening and matching shape properties to the correct shape, and using mathematical vocabulary to describe shapes.

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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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Finding Shapes and Objects - Calculate

The focus of this activity is for students to count a variety of objects in their home environment and write the number for each.

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Work sample Foundation Year Mathematics: Sorting shapes and objects

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Foundation Year Mathematics. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation ...

Downloadable

Pattern hunt

Students copy, describe and continue simple repeating patterns.

Downloadable

Sensational shape hunt

Students compare shapes. In small groups, students are taken on a 'Sensational shape hunt' outside in the school grounds. They look around, observe and describe the shapes they see in the environment. They may stop to feel the straight or curved edges, the flat or rounded sides or surfaces. They compare shapes and find ...

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Space

This guide supports teachers to develop students’ geometric understandings.

Downloadable

First steps in mathematics: Chance and data

This guide supports teachers to develop students’ understanding, skills and processes related to probability and statistics.