Patterns and Sequences — Interactive Lesson (Year 7)

What comes out of the machine when 55 goes in? This 28-slide interactive lesson introduces patterns and sequences, starting with an input–output machine.

Mastering Patterns and Sequences in Year 7 Maths

Students learn to identify and describe different types of sequences and to generate terms from a term-to-term or a position-to-term rule. A starter uses a machine that adds 3, and asks what comes out when 55 goes in and what went in when 18 came out. They learn that a sequence is a list of numbers, usually connected by a rule, that the numbers are called terms, and that finding the difference between terms helps to spot the pattern.

What’s Included

• 28-slide interactive lesson on patterns and sequences
• Learning objectives on describing sequences and generating terms from rules
• A starter activity using an input–output machine
• Worked examples on finding differences and the next terms
• Table-completion questions with instant feedback

Key Benefits for Students

• Builds understanding of what a sequence is
• Practises spotting and using term-to-term rules
• Links function machines to sequences
• Instant feedback on answer questions

Why Teachers Love It

• No prep — ready for whole-class teaching on an interactive whiteboard
• A structured lesson that can be split across sessions
• Self-marking questions support independent practice
• Suits teaching, revision and homework
• A dependable start before the nth term

Love this? You’ll love…

• Generating Sequences from Patterns — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)
• Collecting Like Terms — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)
• Directed Numbers — Interactive Lesson (Ages 11–14)

A dependable addition to a KS3 algebra topic, giving Year 7 students a clear introduction to sequences. Secure understanding of terms and rules prepares them for the nth term and later algebra.

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FAQ

What year group is this for? Year 7 (ages 11–12), KS3.

Does it cover position-to-term rules? Yes — alongside term-to-term rules.

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