Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Copy, extend, and describe simple number patterns.
• Identify and describe the rule for a given number pattern.
• Create your own number patterns.
• Solve simple problems involving number patterns.
• Complete flow diagrams, or function machines.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 3 learners to the exciting world of number patterns. Patterns are all around us in South Africa, from the repeating designs in colourful Ndebele houses and Zulu beadwork to the rhythm of our favourite Gqom song. Understanding patterns helps our brains to think logically, make predictions, and solve problems. This skill is not just for Mathematics; it helps us understand the world, like predicting that after winter comes spring, or knowing the next step in a recipe. This week, we will become 'pattern detectives', learning to spot, understand, and create our own number sequences.

Lesson notes

What is a Number Pattern? A number pattern is a list of numbers that follows a specific, predictable rule. Each number in the pattern is called a term. As pattern detectives, our job is to find the secret rule that connects the numbers! Finding the Rule Finding the rule is the most important part of working with patterns. Here’s how we do it: Look at the numbers: Are they getting bigger (increasing) or smaller (decreasing)?

Find the difference: Look at two numbers next to each other (consecutive terms). What is the 'jump' or 'step' between them? You can find this by subtracting the smaller number from the bigger number.

Check your rule: See if the same 'jump' works for the next pair of numbers. If it does, you have found the rule! If the numbers are getting bigger, the rule will be addition (e.g., 'add 3'). If the numbers are getting smaller, the rule will be subtraction (e.g., 'subtract 4'). ---