Math lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 60 minutes
Missing numbers in patterns that go up or down
Algebra
CCSS 2.NBT.A.2England: Y2 Number and place valueEngland: Y3 Number and place value
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Missing numbers in patterns that go up or down.
- 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: Find the rule of a number pattern
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 · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Find the rule of a number pattern). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What is the rule? 25, 30, 35, 40 (+5 / +6 / +4 / −5) → +5Prompt: Is the pattern going up or down?
- The pattern is 47, 44, 41, 38, … What is the 6th number? → 32Prompt: Find the rule first.
- What is the rule? 41, 36, 31, 26 (−6 / −5 / −4 / +5) → −5Prompt: Is the pattern going up or down?
Hook · 6 min
- Show a "think of a number" puzzle and ask the class to work out the starting number.
- Share the objective: Missing numbers in patterns that go up or down. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Fill the gap: 91, 86, __, 76, 71
- Step 1: 86 − 5 = 81
- Answer: 81
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Fill the gap: 12, 15, 18, __, 24 → 21Prompt: Use two numbers next to each other to find the rule.
- Two numbers are missing: 50, __, 70, __, 90. What is the first missing number? → 60Prompt: From 50 to 70 is two equal jumps.
You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Fill the gap: 1, __, 5, 7, 9 → 3Prompt: Use two numbers next to each other to find the rule.
- Two numbers are missing: 4, __, 204, __, 404. What is the first missing number? → 104Prompt: From 4 to 204 is two equal jumps.
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: Find the rule of a number pattern.
- 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-2.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder