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Pattern Power-Up!

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Lesson Plan

Pattern Power-Up!

Students will be able to represent number patterns using input-output tables and numerical expressions, and generate sequences that follow a given rule.

Understanding number patterns helps us see the order in mathematics and the world around us. It builds a strong foundation for more complex algebra and problem-solving skills.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Hands-on exploration

Materials

Input-Output Tables & Expressions Slide Deck, and Pattern Power-Up Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Next?

2 minutes

  • Display a simple number pattern on the board (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, __, __).
    - Ask students to identify the rule and the next two numbers.
    - Briefly discuss their strategies for finding the pattern.

Step 2

Introduction: Pattern Power-Up!

3 minutes

  • Use the Input-Output Tables & Expressions Slide Deck to introduce input-output tables and numerical expressions.
    - Explain that input-output tables help us organize numbers and see patterns, and numerical expressions give us a rule to follow.
    - Show an example of a simple rule like "add 3" and how it works in a table.

Step 3

Guided Practice: Rule Detective

5 minutes

  • Present a rule (e.g., "multiply by 2") and guide students to create an input-output table together.
    - Work through a few examples, filling in inputs and outputs.
    - Demonstrate how to write the numerical expression (e.g., Input x 2 = Output).
    - Encourage students to articulate the relationship between the input and output values.

Step 4

Independent Practice: Your Turn!

4 minutes

  • Distribute the Pattern Power-Up Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to complete the problems independently, filling in tables and writing numerical expressions for given rules.
    - Circulate to provide support and answer questions.

Step 5

Cool-Down: Pattern Partner Share

1 minute

  • Have students share one pattern they created or found on their worksheet with a partner.
    - Collect the worksheets to assess understanding.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Pattern Power-Up!

What Comes Next?

Look at this pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, __, __

  • What's the rule?
  • What are the next two numbers?

Greet students and introduce the warm-up. This helps activate prior knowledge about patterns.

Input-Output Tables: Your Pattern Organizer!

Have you ever followed a recipe? Or built something with instructions?

Input-Output tables are like a special instruction guide for numbers!

  • They show how an input number changes into an output number.
  • The rule tells us how it changes!

Introduce the concept of input-output tables as a way to organize numbers and see relationships. Explain that a rule tells us how to change the input to get the output.

Let's Follow a Rule: "Add 3"

Rule: Add 3

InputOutput
14
25
36
4?
5?
  • What will be the output if the input is 4? How about 5?

Provide a simple example of a rule and how it applies to an input-output table. Emphasize that the rule applies to every input.

Writing the Rule: Numerical Expressions

A numerical expression is a math sentence that shows the rule!

For the rule "Add 3":

  • If the input is 1, the expression is 1 + 3 = 4
  • If the input is 2, the expression is 2 + 3 = 5
  • Can you write the expression for an input of 7?

Introduce numerical expressions as a mathematical way to write down the rule. Connect it back to the table.

Your Turn! Rule: "Multiply by 2"

Let's work together!

Rule: Multiply by 2

InputOutput
1
2
3
4
  • What are the outputs?
  • How would you write the numerical expression for an input of 5?

Guided practice with a new rule. Work through this together as a class, filling in the table and expression on the board or digitally.

Time to Practice!

You're all becoming Pattern Pros!

Now, let's try some on your own with the Pattern Power-Up Worksheet.

  • Fill in the input-output tables.
  • Write the numerical expression for each problem.

Transition to independent practice. Explain the worksheet and encourage students to work diligently.

Pattern Partner Share!

Great job today, Pattern Detectives!

  • Turn to a partner and share one pattern you created or found on your worksheet.
  • Explain how you found the rule!

Concluding slide for the cool-down activity. Remind students to share their work with a partner.

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Worksheet

Pattern Power-Up Worksheet!

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Directions: Complete each input-output table and write the numerical expression that represents the rule.

Part 1: Follow the Rule!

Sometimes we know the rule and need to find the outputs. Be a rule-follower and fill in these tables!

1. Rule: Add 5

Imagine you have a magic machine that adds 5 to every number you put in!

InputOutputNumerical Expression
1Input + 5 = Output
2Input + 5 = Output
3Input + 5 = Output
4Input + 5 = Output











2. Rule: Multiply by 3

This magic machine multiplies every number by 3! See what happens.

InputOutputNumerical Expression
2Input x 3 = Output
4Input x 3 = Output
6Input x 3 = Output
8Input x 3 = Output











3. Rule: Subtract 2

This last machine takes away 2 from every number. What will your outputs be?

InputOutputNumerical Expression
10Input - 2 = Output
8Input - 2 = Output
6Input - 2 = Output
4Input - 2 = Output











Part 2: Find the Rule!

Now, you're the pattern detective! Look closely at the numbers and discover the secret rule for each table.

4.

Can you see how the input changes to become the output?

InputOutput
36
47
58
69

Rule: _____________________________

Numerical Expression: _____________________________





5.

What operation is making these input numbers grow into their outputs?

InputOutput
15
210
315
420

Rule: _____________________________

Numerical Expression: _____________________________





6.

Watch these numbers carefully! What's the pattern as they get smaller?

InputOutput
126
104
82
60

Rule: _____________________________

Numerical Expression: _____________________________





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Answer Key

Pattern Power-Up Answer Key

Directions: Here are the completed input-output tables and numerical expressions for the worksheet.

Part 1: Follow the Rule!

1. Rule: Add 5

InputOutputNumerical Expression
16Input + 5 = Output
27Input + 5 = Output
38Input + 5 = Output
49Input + 5 = Output

Thought Process: For each input, add 5 to find the output. The numerical expression shows this relationship: Input + 5 = Output.

2. Rule: Multiply by 3

InputOutputNumerical Expression
26Input x 3 = Output
412Input x 3 = Output
618Input x 3 = Output
824Input x 3 = Output

Thought Process: For each input, multiply by 3 to find the output. The numerical expression shows this relationship: Input x 3 = Output.

3. Rule: Subtract 2

InputOutputNumerical Expression
108Input - 2 = Output
86Input - 2 = Output
64Input - 2 = Output
42Input - 2 = Output

Thought Process: For each input, subtract 2 to find the output. The numerical expression shows this relationship: Input - 2 = Output.

Part 2: Find the Rule!

4.

InputOutput
36
47
58
69

Rule: Add 3
Numerical Expression: Input + 3 = Output

Thought Process: Observe the relationship between each input and output. 3 becomes 6 (add 3), 4 becomes 7 (add 3), and so on. The consistent rule is "Add 3."

5.

InputOutput
15
210
315
420

Rule: Multiply by 5
Numerical Expression: Input x 5 = Output

Thought Process: Observe the relationship between each input and output. 1 becomes 5 (multiply by 5), 2 becomes 10 (multiply by 5), and so on. The consistent rule is "Multiply by 5."

6.

InputOutput
126
104
82
60

Rule: Subtract 6
Numerical Expression: Input - 6 = Output

Thought Process: Observe the relationship between each input and output. 12 becomes 6 (subtract 6), 10 becomes 4 (subtract 6), and so on. The consistent rule is "Subtract 6."

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Pattern Power-Up! • Lenny Learning