Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• This lesson introduces Grade 1 learners to the exciting world of number patterns. A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows a specific rule. Understanding patterns is a fundamental mathematical skill that builds the foundation for more complex concepts like multiplication, algebra, and data analysis. In the South African context, patterns are all around us – in the geometric designs of Ndebele art, the rhythmic beats of a djembe drum, the repeating rows of mealies in a field, or the way we count our money. This lesson makes mathematics tangible and relevant by connecting abstract number sequences to the learners' everyday experiences, helping them see that maths is not just in the classroom, but everywhere in their community.
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
• Copy and extend simple number sequences to at least 100 (counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s).
• Identify and describe the rule for a given number pattern (e.g., "We are adding 2 each time").
• Create their own simple number patterns.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 1 learners to the exciting world of number patterns. A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follows a specific rule. Understanding patterns is a fundamental mathematical skill that builds the foundation for more complex concepts like multiplication, algebra, and data analysis. In the South African context, patterns are all around us – in the geometric designs of Ndebele art, the rhythmic beats of a djembe drum, the repeating rows of mealies in a field, or the way we count our money.

Lesson notes

This section explains the core ideas about number patterns that a Grade 1 learner needs to know. What is a Number Pattern? A number pattern is like a secret code where numbers are lined up in a special order. To understand the pattern, we need to figure out the rule. The rule is the instruction that tells us how to get from one number to the next.

Example: Look at this line of numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, ... The numbers are getting bigger. To get from 1 to 2, we add

1. To get from 2 to 3, we add

1. The rule is: Add

1. This is the simplest pattern, just like normal counting!

Skip Counting: Jumping with Numbers! Skip counting is a fun way to create patterns by adding the same number over and over. It's like jumping along a number line, skipping some numbers as you go. A. Counting in 10s This is one of the easiest patterns to see. It helps us understand big numbers.

The Pattern: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 The Rule: Add 10 each time.

Why it's useful: Think about counting R10 notes to buy something from the spaza shop. If you have 3 notes, you count: 10, 20,

3

0. You have R30!

Worked example

What is the next number in this pattern?

10, 20, 30, 40, ___

Step 1: Look at the numbers. We see 10, then 20, then

3

0. Step 2: Find the rule. How do we get from 10 to 20? We add

1

0. How do we get from 20 to 30? We add

1

0. The rule is "Add 10".

Step 3: Use the rule. We need to add 10 to the last number, which is

4

0. Step 4: Calculate. 40 + 10 =

5

0. Answer: The next number is

5

0.

B. Counting in 5s

This pattern is very useful for telling time on a clock or counting money.

The Pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ...

The Rule: Add 5 each time.

Why it's useful: Think of counting with R5 coins.

Four coins would be: 5, 10, 15,

2

0. That's R

2

0. Tip: Notice that numbers in this pattern always end with a 5 or a

0. Worked

Example:

Find the missing number in this pattern:

5, 10, ___, 20, 25

Step 1: Find the rule. To get from 5 to 10, we add

5. To get from 20 to 25, we add

5. The rule is "Add 5".

Step 2: Use the rule to find the missing number. The number before the gap is

1

0. Step 3: Calculate. We need to add 5 to 10. 10 + 5 =

1

5. Step 4: Check if it works. Does 15 + 5 = 20? Yes! So our answer is correct.

Answer: The missing number is

1

5.

C. Counting in 2s

This pattern helps us count things that come in pairs, like shoes, eyes, or socks.

The Pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ...

The Rule: Add 2 each time.

Why it's useful: If Zola has 4 friends, and each one needs a pair of socks, she can count in 2s to find out how many socks she needs: 2, 4, 6,

8. She needs 8 socks!

Tip: All the numbers in this pattern are even numbers.

Worked

Example:

What is the rule for this pattern: 20, 22, 24, 26?

Step 1: Look at the first two numbers. They are 20 and

2

2. Step 2: Ask "How do I get from 20 to 22?" I can count up: 21,

2

2. That's 2 steps.

Step 3: Check if the rule works for the next numbers. Does 22 + 2 = 24? Yes. Does 24 + 2 = 26? Yes.

Answer: The rule is Add

2.

Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1:

Bongi is packing apples into bags. She puts 2 apples in the first bag, 4 in the second, 6 in the third. Continue the pattern for the next two bags.

2, 4, 6, ___, ___

Worked Solution:

Identify the rule: We look at how we get from one number to the next. From 2 to 4, we add

2. From 4 to 6, we add

2. The rule is Add

2. Apply the rule: We start from the last number,

6. First blank: 6 + 2 =

8. Second blank: 8 + 2 =

1

0. Answer: The completed pattern is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.