Math lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Describe linear sequences with a rule for the nth term
Algebra
CCSS 6.EE.A.2England: Y6 Algebra
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Describe linear sequences with a rule for the nth term.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Generate a pattern from a rule and predict later terms; Use simple formulas written in words and letters
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Balance scales or a balance drawing, Algebra tiles, Function machine cards, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Generate a pattern from a rule and predict later terms; Use simple formulas written in words and letters). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- A pattern starts at 7 and the rule is "add 8". What is the 6th number in the pattern? → 47Prompt: From the 1st to the 6th number there are 5 jumps.
- Bike hire costs C = 2h + 5, where h is the number of hours. What is C when h = 5? → 15Prompt: 2h means 2 × h.
- Rule: start at 5, add 4. The pattern is 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, … Will the numbers always be odd, always even, or alternate? (always odd / always even / alternate) → always oddPrompt: The start is odd. What does adding an even number (4) do to an odd number?
Hook · 5 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Describe linear sequences with a rule for the nth term. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: The nth term of a sequence is 2n − 3. What is the 43rd term?
- Step 1: 2 × 43 − 3 = 83
- Answer: 83
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- The nth term of a sequence is 2n + 5. What is the 43rd term? → 91Prompt: Replace n with 43.
- Which rule gives the sequence 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, …? (n + 5 / 6n − 1 / 5n / 5n + 1) → 5nPrompt: The difference between terms tells you the number in front of n.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which rule gives the sequence 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, …? (4n + 3 / 4n + 2 / 3n + 3 / n + 3) → 3n + 3Prompt: The difference between terms tells you the number in front of n.
- The nth term of a sequence is 4n + 1. What is the 42nd term? → 169Prompt: Replace n with 42.
Watch out for
- Doing an operation to one side of an equation but not the other.
- Reading 3x as 3 + x, or thinking x always stands for one particular number.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Generate a pattern from a rule and predict later terms.
- Use concrete materials: balance scales or a balance drawing.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder