Number Patterns Teaching Resources
Explore number patterns in your maths classes this school year with fun worksheets, games and more teacher resources created to help your students understand how numbers in a sequence relate to one another.
Aligned with the Australian Version 9.0 maths standards, the printable and digital activities in this collection were created by the maths teachers on the Teach Starter team to help you save time on your lesson plans.
Whether this is your first year teaching about number patterns or you're just looking for a little extra help, we've got you covered. Read on for a primer from our teacher team! We explain what number patterns are so you can share with your class, plus we explore three common patterns.
What Are Number Patterns? A Kid-Friendly Definition
A number pattern is a series of numbers that each follow the same rule. These patterns or sequences can help us find missing numbers or identify what number will come next in a series.
For example, let's say you are given the following list of numbers:
- 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
This is an example of a number pattern in which the next number in the series is 4 more than the previous number. Once you can identify the pattern in a series of numbers like this one, you can then use that pattern to determine what number comes next or even what numbers could have come before the list began.
This is one of the many reasons number patterns are an important part of building our students' algebraic reasoning skills. They help kids understand how numbers can be related to one another and apply what they know about those relationships to solve problems.
3 Common Types of Number Patterns
We can't talk about number patterns without breaking down the different types your students are going to encounter in their maths journey!
Linear Patterns
Linear patterns are number patterns in which the numbers increase or decrease by the same amount each time.
The example used above — in which each number in the series increased by a quantity of 4 — is a simple example of a linear pattern.
Geometric Number Patterns
Another type of pattern students may have to contend with is the geometric number pattern. This type involves numbers that are multiplied or divided by a constant factor.
The multiplication table is an example of a geometric number pattern.
Recursive Patterns
Students will have to make full use of their understanding of the four whole number operations to work with recursive patterns. That's because this pattern involves finding each successive number in the sequence by performing a specific operation on the previous number(s).
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Odd or Even Number Popcorn Sorting Activity
Sort popcorn shaped numbers into either the odd popcorn bucket or the even popcorn bucket.
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Counting Odd and Even Numbers Worksheet Pack
Identify odd and even numbers in a variety of activities in these odd and even worksheets.
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Odd and Even Interactive Task Cards
Practise determining if a number is odd or even with this space-themed interactive activity.
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Sorting Odd and Even House Numbers Cut and Paste Worksheet
Practise sorting odd and even numbers with this set of cut and paste worksheets.
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Odd and Even Monsters Sorting Activity
Sort odd and even numbers in this fun monster-themed sorting activity.
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Odd and Even Boats Craft Activity
Create a gorgeous boat-themed odd and even craft display all while showing an understanding of odd and even numbers.
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Odd and Even Concertina Template
Create an odd and even number concertina to use as a tool during maths lessons on odd and even numbers.
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Even or Odd Socks Worksheets
Predict and confirm if a number is odd or even by pairing socks using this fun set of worksheets.
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Skip Counting Puzzles Interactive Activity
Complete the skip counting pattern and reveal the complete picture!
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Even and Odd Numbers Task Cards - Word Problems
Identify odd and even numbers within word problems with a set of task cards.
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100 More , 100 Less Matching Game (Three-Digit Numbers)
Match 3-digit number cards to find pairs that are 100 more or 100 less of each other.
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Skip Counting by 10s I Have, Who Has Game
Use this fast-paced whole class game to help your students practise skip counting by tens.
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Writing Equations – Interactive Mystery Picture Reveal
Practise representing written statements as a single-variable equation with this self-checking interactive activity.
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10 More 10 Less Sorting Card Game
Engage your students and have them practise reading statements about values 10 more or 10 less, then and determining if the statement is accurate.
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Number Neighbourhood - Number Line Sequencing Cards
Print a set of colourful numbered houses to use for skip counting, ordering, and comparing numbers.
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Christmas Skip Counting - Printable Puzzles
Grab a set of 10 printable Christmas puzzles to help students skip count in the classroom.
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Writing Equations – Match Up Activity
Practise matching word sentences to equations with variables with this 36-card match-up activity.
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Algebraic Expressions – Interactive Activity
Practise writing, reading and solving algebraic expressions with this set of interactive activities.
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Evaluating Expressions – Task Cards
Use this set of 24 task cards to practise evaluating expressions with a single variable.
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Writing Equations – Task Cards
Practise writing an equation to represent a situation with this set of 24 task cards.
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Writing Equations – Worksheet
Practise writing equations to represent a situation with this maths worksheet designed for year 7 students.
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Rearranging Parts Word Problems Worksheet
Extend students with this rearranging parts word problem worksheet.
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Decimal Patterns Match-Up Activity
Use this match-up activity to determine patterns and extend numerical sequences by adding and subtracting decimals.
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Secret Number Patterns – Card Game
Keep your secret number pattern hidden as you race to be the first to create number patterns based on given rules.
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Repeating Patterns Spinner
Have fun using this spinner to reinforce understanding of patterning!
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Numbers 1-20
A bright number board representing numbers 1-20.
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Skip Counting Desk Number Line – Fours
An educational desk number line showing skip counting by fours.
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Number Talks - Number Pairs Task Cards
Build number sense skills with this set of 26 task cards.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 3 - Kite
Join the dots and numbers to make a picture.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 1 - Caterpillar
Join the dots and numbers to make a picture.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 1 - Arrow
Join the dots and numbers to make a picture.
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Number Charts and Number Finder
Number charts up to 1000 with a number finder template.
- Number Patterns Worksheets
- Number Patterns Games
- Number Patterns Templates
- Number Patterns Posters
- Number Patterns Teaching Presentations
- Number Patterns for Foundation Year
- Number Patterns for Year 1
- Number Patterns for Year 2
- Number Patterns for Year 3
- Number Patterns for Year 4
- Number Patterns for Year 5
- Number Patterns for Year 6
- Number Patterns for Year 7