EXPLORE
Let's explore awareness of number patterns.
Through these activities children will be...
Learning to sequence numbers
Learning to identify what comes next/before in a sequence
Learning to identify a missing number within a number sequence/pattern
Missing Number Activity
Resources Required:
Numerals from 0-20 written onto something e.g bottle tops, wooden spoons, stones, paper or card.
In this activity children are learning to identify a missing number within a number sequence/pattern.
Language that may be used includes; number names, sequence, missing number, next, after, before.
What to do:
Place your numbers out in a sequence (as an additional activity, you could ask the child to do this).
Note: This sequence may be 0-10, 5-15 or something else which includes some numbers that are familiar to the child and one or two which add challenge.
Ask the child to close their eyes.
Remove a number.
Ask the child “What is the missing number?”
If they find this challenging, encourage the child to find where the ‘space’ is i.e where the number has been taken from.
Encourage the child to look at either side of the missing number to help them work it out. Use language such as ‘before’, ‘next’ and ‘after’
If extra challenge is required start with a sequence of numbers which go up in twos e.g 0, 2,4,6,8,10.
Number Treasure Hunt
Resources Required:
Numerals from 0-20 written onto something e.g building blocks, bottle tops, wooden spoons, stones, paper or card.
·Alternatively subitising cards (cards with dot patterns to represent the numbers) from 1-10.
In this activity children are learning to identify what comes next/before in a sequence.
Language that may be used includes; number names, sequence, next, after, before.
What to do:
Discuss with your child the numbers that shall be used in the sequence e.g 0-10, 5-15, 10-20, or backwards 5-0, 10-0.
Ask your child to close their eyes then hide, or ask them to hide, the numbers around the room or outside.
Once all numbers are hidden, ask your child to go and find them.
Gather the numbers together and sequence the ones that have been found. This may be done with guidance from the adult e.g “What is the first number in the sequence?...Who has…What number comes next?” or for more challenge leave your child to sequence the numbers themself.
Caterpillar Ordering/Sequencing
In this online game children shall be working out what comes next in a sequence or order. The game offers differentiated activities to take into account different abilities. For example, you may choose to sequence numbers within 10 forward or backwards or order numbers within 10 or 20 from lowest to highest or highest to lowest.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/ordering-and-sequencing/caterpillar-ordering