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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3rd Grade Odd and Even Properties Task Cards
Assess students understanding of the properites of odd and even numbers with these task cards.
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Number Ordering Puzzles - Cut and Paste
Help students order numbers up to 20 with a set of 8 cut-and-paste number ordering puzzles.
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Emoji Equation Riddles - Determine the Unknown
Build problem-solving and critical thinking skills with printable Emoji Math Riddle task cards.
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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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Printable Skip Counting Worksheets and Charts
Practice and review skip counting by 2,3,4,5,and 10 with a pack of printable skip counting worksheets and anchor charts.
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Prime and Composite Numbers Poster
A poster to help students learn the vocabulary associated with prime and composite numbers.
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Odd and Even Interactive (Double Digit Sums)
Engage students in odd and even numbers within double digit sums with this interactive activity.
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2nd Grade Odd or Even Sorting Game (Coins)
Help your students practice their knowledge of odd and even numbers with this fun coin sorting activity.
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2nd Grade Odd and Even Boats Craft Activity
Create a boat-themed odd and even craft display all while showing an understanding of odd and even numbers.
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Prime Factorization – Task Cards
Practice how to find the prime factorization of a number with this set of 24 task cards
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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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Prime and Composite Numbers Poster Pack
Distinguish between prime and composite numbers with this set of different rainbow-themed math posters.
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Math Mazes (Skip Counting)
Skip count your way through 3 printable math mazes that focus on number sequencing.
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Numbers 1 to 100 - Odds, Evens and Counting in 5's
Numbers 1 to 100 displayed on a bright and colorful poster.
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Skip Counting Worksheet
A worksheet focusing on skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Identifying Number Patterns and their Rules - PowerPoint
A 14-slide editable PowerPoint to use in the classroom when introducing number patterns and rules.
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Skip Counting Robot - Template
A fun robot template to help students practice skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
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Moving Mathematics Activity - Skip Counting By Twos
A fun and active way to practice counting by 2s.
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Race to 10,000 - Number Pattern Game
A fun game for students to play to practice place value and mentally adding multiples of 10, 100, and 1,000.
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Hundreds Chart - Black and White Version
A black and white hundreds chart that can be used in a variety of ways.
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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 Word Problems
Extend students with these odd or even number word problems and worksheets.
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Odd and Even Numbers Work Mat
Explore odd and even numbers with your students using this set of strategy mats.
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3rd Grade Divisible by 2 Sorting Activity
Explore numbers divisible by 2 with this fun snowboard-themed sorting activity.
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2nd Grade Fishing Odd or Even Numbers Worksheets
Go fishing for odd and even numbers with your students using this set of three worksheets.
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Properties of Odd and Even Numbers Exit Tickets
Check for student understanding with these Odd and Even Properties exit tickets for the classroom.
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2nd Grade Odd and Even Numbers Under 20 Task Cards
Practice determining if groups of objects or sums are odd or even using this set of task cards.
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2nd Grade Odd and Even Task Cards
Help your students practice their knowledge of odd and even numbers with this set of task cards.
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Odd and Even Properties Interactive Activity
Engage students in odd and even numbers with this interactive activity.
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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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2nd Grade Odd and Even Numbers Four in a Row Game
Play four in a row and practice knowledge of odd and even numbers.
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2nd Grade Odd and Even Monsters Sorting Activity
Sort odd and even numbers in this fun monster-themed sorting activity.