Number Patterns Teaching Resources
Explore number patterns in your math classes this school year with fun worksheets, number sequence games and more teacher resources created to help your students understand how numbers in a sequence relate to one another.
Aligned with both TEKS and Common Core math standards, the printable and digital activities in this collection were created by the math 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 students' algebraic reasoning skills. They help students 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 math 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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Counting Mixed Coins Differentiated Worksheets
Download differentiated printable worksheets and use skip counting and addition skills to determine the value of each coin collection.
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Christmas Printables - Math Skip Counting Puzzles
Grab a set of 10 printable Christmas puzzles to help students skip count in the classroom.
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Number Pattern Task Cards – Addition and Subtraction
Practice identifying the rules of patterns, determining missing numbers, and interpreting word problems with this set of 36 task cards.
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Skipping Through 120 - Worksheet
A worksheet to practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Place Value Slider Set
Break out this place value slider set for a hands-on way to demonstrate multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals by powers of ten.
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Find and Color: Prime and Composite Numbers Worksheet
Encourage your students to identify prime and composite numbers up to 100 with this free find and color worksheet.
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Christmas Math Mats - Pattern Block Picture Cards
Print a set of Christmas pattern block picture cards to help children develop shape recognition and fine motor skills.
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Black and White Number Chart 1–120
A black and white number chart showing the numbers 1-120.
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Blank Input Output Tables Template Set
Grab this blank input output tables template set to create a wide variety of function table activities that will have your students thinking algebraically.
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Skip Counting by 1, 2, 5 and 10 Sorting Activity
Set up this sorting activity as a small group or rotation task for your students to practise thier skip counting skills.
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Prime & Composite Numbers – Task Cards
Demonstrate an understanding of prime and composite numbers with this set of 24 task cards.
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Prime and Composite Number Sort
Identify prime and composite numbers by sorting 30 number cards into their proper category.
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Counting by 5's Maze
Get to the party by skip counting to 100 with our counting by 5’s worksheet.
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Missing Values Number Chart - 1–120
A black and white chart representing numbers 1-120.
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Odd and Even Properties Teaching Slides
Teach your students about the properties of odd and even numbers with this interactive teaching slide deck.
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Input Output Tables Worksheet Set
Provide this input output tables worksheet set to your students to give them practice identifying and extending number patterns using all four operations.
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Function Machine Interactive Game
Share this function machine interactive game with your students, providing them a fun way to practice identifying and continuing number patterns.
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Additive and Multiplicative Relationships Worksheets PDF
Analyze number patterns with this additive and multiplicative relationships worksheets PDF that encourages students to reason logically and defend their answers.
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Number Patterns 2nd Grade Worksheet Set
Download this number patterns 2nd grade worksheet set to give your students practice skip counting and recognizing patterns.
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Skip Counting Puzzles
Practice skip counting and identifying multiples of numbers with printable skip counting puzzles for kids.
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Odd and Even Numbers Sorting Activity
Identify and sort 2- and 3-digit numbers into odd and even categories.
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2nd Grade 'I Spy' Odd and Even Number Worksheet
Practice determining odd and even numbers of objects with this fun scavenger hunt worksheet.
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Skip Counting Fishing Interactive Activity
Assign this fun fishing game to help your students practice their skip counting skills using digital technology.
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Skip Counting Exit Tickets
Assess student understanding of skip counting within 1000 by 5s 10s and 100s.
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Skip Counting Worksheets (Fill in the Blanks)
Use this set of skip counting worksheets to check student understanding of skip counting in increasing intervals of 5, 10 and 100.
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Number Neighborhood - Printable Number Line Sequencing Cards
Print a set of colorful numbered houses to use for skip counting, ordering, and comparing numbers.
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Counting Forwards and Backwards Within 100 - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Practicing counting forwards and backward from a given number within 100 with this cut and paste worksheet.
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Differentiated Number Pattern Worksheets
Practice completing number patterns and determining their rules with this set of differentiated worksheets.
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Identifying Prime & Composite Numbers – Worksheet
Use understanding of factors to identify composite and prime numbers with this worksheet.
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Skip Counting to 100 - Card Game
Practice skip counting by 2, 5, and 10 with this card game for small groups.
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Find the Missing Value – Division Worksheet
Strengthen understanding of inverse operations by finding the missing value of each division equation.
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Equation Match-Up!
Match word problems, equations, and visual models with this match-up activity.
- Number Patterns Worksheets
- Number Patterns Games
- Number Patterns Posters
- Number Patterns Templates
- Number Patterns for Pre-K
- Number Patterns for Kindergarten
- Number Patterns for 1st Grade
- Number Patterns for 2nd Grade
- Number Patterns for 3rd Grade
- Number Patterns for 4th Grade
- Number Patterns for 5th Grade
- Number Patterns for 6th Grade