Generating Sequences from Patterns — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)

How many matchsticks make the 8th shape? This 12-slide interactive lesson teaches students to generate sequences from patterns and spot the rule.

Mastering Sequences from Patterns in Year 7–9 Maths

Students learn to recognise and extend patterns within sequences, both numerically and visually, and to generate terms using a given rule. They complete tables for patterns made from circles, triangles, stars, pentagons, matchsticks, squares and dots, and answer questions such as how many stars are in the 12th shape and which term has 14 pentagons. Exam-style questions using tiles and counters lead to a rule such as 4n + 1.

What’s Included

• 12-slide interactive lesson on generating sequences from patterns
• Learning objectives on extending patterns and using rules
• Table-completion tasks with a range of shape patterns
• Term-position questions, such as which term has 55 dots
• Exam-style tile and counter questions with worked answers

Key Benefits for Students

• Links visual patterns to number sequences
• Builds the habit of spotting a rule
• Prepares students for nth term work
• Instant feedback on answer questions

Why Teachers Love It

• No prep — ready for whole-class teaching on an interactive whiteboard
• A concise lesson that fits a single session
• Self-marking questions support independent practice
• Suits teaching, revision and homework
• Exam-style examples build test readiness

Love this? You’ll love…

• Linear Sequences: Finding the Nth Term — Interactive Lesson & Worksheet (Ages 13–15)
• Collecting Like Terms — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)
• Substitution into Formulae and Expressions — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)

A dependable addition to a KS3 algebra topic, giving students a visual way into sequences before they work with the nth term. Spotting rules in patterns is a core skill for later algebra.

Bring patterns to life — Add to Basket.

FAQ

What year group is this for? KS3 — Years 7–9 (ages 11–14).

Does it cover the nth term? It introduces a rule such as 4n + 1 in its exam-style examples.

Is it self-marking? Yes, with instant feedback on the questions.