Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• Identify and describe the rule for a number pattern.
• Copy and extend number sequences up to 200.
• Create your own simple number patterns.
• Solve problems with patterns counting in 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 2 learners to the exciting world of number patterns. A number pattern is a sequence of numbers that follow a specific rule. Understanding patterns is a fundamental skill in mathematics because it helps us to make predictions, understand relationships between numbers, and develop logical thinking. In South Africa, patterns are all around us – from the beautiful geometric designs in Ndebele art and Zulu beadwork to the rhythm of our music and the way we count our money. By learning to identify and create number patterns, learners are building a strong foundation for more complex topics like multiplication and algebra in later grades.

Lesson notes

What is a Number Pattern? A number pattern is like a secret code made of numbers. It's a list of numbers that are not just random, but are connected by a special rule. Our job as 'pattern detectives' is to figure out this rule! The rule tells us what we need to do to get from one number in the pattern to the next. It could be adding the same number every time, or subtracting the same number every time.

Type 1: Increasing Patterns (Counting On) These are patterns where the numbers get bigger. The rule is usually to add the same number again and again.

Example 1: Counting in 2s Imagine you are lining up your shoes.

You count the shoes in pairs: 2, 4, 6, 8...

Pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ... How do we get from 2 to 4? We add

2. How do we get from 4 to 6? We add

2. The Rule: The rule is "add 2" or "count on in 2s". To find the next number after 10, we just follow the rule: 10 + 2 =

1

2. Example 2: Counting in 5s with R5 coins Pretend you are saving R5 coins in your piggy bank.

Pattern: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ... How do we get from 5 to 10? We add

5. How do we get from 10 to 15? We add

5. The Rule: The rule is "add 5" or "count on in 5s". To find the next number after 25, we follow the rule: 25 + 5 =

3

0. So you would have R30!

Example 3: Counting in 10s This is like counting with R10 notes!

Pattern: 40, 50, 60, 70, ... The jump from 40 to 50 is

1

0. The jump from 50 to 60 is

1

0. The Rule: The rule is "add 10" or "count on in 10s". The next number will be 70 + 10 =

8

0. Type 2: Decreasing Patterns (Counting Back) These are patterns where the numbers get smaller. The rule is usually to subtract the same number each time.

Example 4: Counting back in 10s Imagine you have R100 and you spend R10 at the tuck shop every day.

Pattern: 100, 90, 80, 70, ... How do we get from 100 to 90? We subtract

1

0. How do we get from 90 to 80? We subtract

1

0. The Rule: The rule is "subtract 10" or "count back in 10s". The next number after 70 will be 70 - 10 =

6

0. You will have R60 left. How to Find the Rule To be a good pattern detective, ask yourself these two questions: Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller? If bigger, the rule is to ADD (+). If smaller, the rule is to SUBTRACT (-). What is the 'jump' between the numbers? Look at two numbers next to each other. Find the difference between them. Check if the difference is the same for the next pair of numbers.