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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One More, One Less Task Cards
Practice identifying one more and one less up to 100 with our set of 24 task cards.
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Ten More, Ten Less Task Cards
Practice identifying 10 more and 10 less than a given number with our set of 24 task cards.
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Skip Counting to 120 Task Cards
Practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s with a set of 20 task cards that go up to 120.
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Ten More, Ten Less Dominoes
Practice adding ten more or subtracting ten from a particular number with a set of 27 dominoes.
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Fives Math Machine Division Worksheet
A worksheet to use when practicing basic division facts.
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Operations of Four Math Machine Worksheet
A worksheet to use when practicing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
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Mystery Math Machine - Ways to Make Three Worksheet
A worksheet to use when learning about input-output tables.
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Plus One and Minus One Math Machine Worksheet
A worksheet to practice generating a number that is one more than or one less than another number.
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Make Two Math Machine Worksheet
A worksheet to use when practicing algebraic reasoning.
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Fuzzy Friends Repeating Pattern Activity Cards
A set of 6 repeating pattern activity cards.
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Python Pattern Activity
An activity for students to practice extending patterns.
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Scoot and Count: Skip Counting by 10s
A set of 20 skip counting task cards to use as a whole-class scoot activity.
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Scoot and Count: Skip Counting by 5s
A set of 20 skip counting task cards to use as a whole-class scoot activity.
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Scoot and Count: Skip Counting by 2s
A set of 20 skip counting task cards to use as a whole-class scoot activity.
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Square and Triangular Numbers Poster
A poster to help students learn the vocabulary associated with square and triangular numbers.
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Cinderella's Shoes: Counting by 2's - Cut and Paste Worksheet
A worksheet to practice counting to 20 by 2s .
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Number and Math Symbol Mini Flashcards
Print a set of colorful number and symbol cards for various math activities.
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What's Missing? - 100 More, 100 Less Task Cards
Find numbers 100 more or 100 less than a given number up to 4 digits with this set of 20 task cards.
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What's Missing? - One More, One Less Task Cards
Practice identifying numbers one more or one less than a given two-digit number with this set of 20 task cards.
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Patterns Math Investigation - Bands of Friendship
A mathematics investigation involving patterns, embedded in a real-world context.
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Numbers 1 to 100 - Odds, Evens and Counting in 5's - Trees
Numbers 1 to 100 displayed on a bright and colorful poster.
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Algebraic Symbols - Poster
A poster showing 8 basic algebraic symbols to display in your classroom.
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Train Carriage Card Game for Ordering Numbers 1–9
Print a fun train-themed hands-on activity for your kindergarten math centers! This kid favorite is a great way to practice ordering numbers 1–9.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 10 - Shark
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 10’s to 580.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Numbers by 10 - Dog
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting to 600 by 10’s.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 5 - Robot
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 5’s to 350.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 5 - Helicopter
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 5’s to 250.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 5 - Astronaut
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 5’s to 400.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 3 - Grasshopper
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 3's to 366.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 3 - Eel
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 3’s to 130.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 3 - Cat
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 3’s to 183.
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Dot-to-Dot Drawing - Counting by 2 - Frog
A dot-to-dot worksheet to practice counting by 2’s to 126.