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Fix the Pattern - Whiteboard Game
1 2 3 FREE Games & Activities Mathematics Number & Place Value Patterns & Algebra 20 Pages

Fix the Pattern - Whiteboard Game

Fix the Pattern is an interactive whiteboard maths game for Year 1 and Year 2, aligned to the Australian Curriculum, where students find the wrong tile in a number pattern or number sentence and explain how to fix it. The game has eight rounds covering counting by twos, fives and tens, counting back by ones, addition facts, doubles, subtraction and the meaning of the equals sign. After each correct answer, a Fixed it screen shows the corrected pattern with a short explanation, such as 7 + 3 makes 10 and 2 more makes 12.

Teachers open the game on the interactive whiteboard and play it as a whole-class warm-up or a maths rotation. This complete free resource from Teach This runs as a slideshow with no setup, so you can play straight away and spend the time on student reasoning.

Learning goals

  • We are learning to recognise, continue and create pattern sequences, with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, formed by skip counting, initially by twos, fives and tens.
  • We are learning to add and subtract numbers within 20, using a variety of strategies, e.g. counting on, counting back, partitioning, subitising and part-part whole knowledge of numbers to 10 and to use the language of 'plus' and 'minus' in story problems.
  • We are learning to recognise, describe and create patterns with numbers, shapes and objects and identify the missing term patterns.
  • We are learning to recall addition facts to 20 and apply to related subtraction facts using a range of strategies.
  • We are learning to add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, using a variety of strategies, e.g. partitioning, doubles, near doubles, bridging to 10 and rearranging and regrouping of numbers.
  • We are learning to use a range of strategies, to solve simple addition and subtraction problems.
  • We are learning to continue simple patterns using numbers and objects.
  • We are learning to solve problems by using number sentences for addition or subtraction.
  • We are learning to investigate number patterns adding two, five or ten, identify missing elements and represent patterns on a number line.
  • We are learning to use a range of mental and written strategies to solve simple addition and subtraction problems.
  • We are learning to explore number sequences by twos, threes, fives and tens from any starting point.
  • We are learning to use a range of mental strategies to solve simple addition and subtraction problems.

Curriculum alignment

AC9M1N04 9 Add and subtract numbers within 20, using physical and virtual materials, part-part-whole knowledge to 10 and a variety of calculation strategies AC9M2N04 9 Add and subtract one- and two-digit numbers, representing problems using number sentences and solve using part-part-whole reasoning and a variety of calculation strategies AC9M2A02 9 Recall and demonstrate proficiency with addition facts to 20; extend and apply facts to develop related subtraction facts AC9M2A01 9 Recognise, describe and create additive patterns that increase or decrease by a constant amount, using numbers, shapes and objects, and identify missing elements in the pattern AC9M1A01 9 Recognise, continue and create pattern sequences, with numbers, symbols, shapes and objects, formed by skip counting, initially by twos, fives and tens ACMNA055 8.4 Recall addition facts for single-digit numbers and related subtraction facts to develop increasingly efficient mental strategies for computation ACMNA026 8.4 Investigate number sequences, initially those increasing and decreasing by twos, threes, fives and tens from any starting point, then moving to other sequences ACMNA018 8.4 Investigate and describe number patterns formed by skip-counting and patterns with objects ACMNA036 8.4 Solve problems by using number sentences for addition or subtraction ACMNA015 8.4 Represent and solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of strategies including counting on, partitioning and rearranging parts ACMNA035 8.4 Describe patterns with numbers and identify missing elements ACMNA030 8.4 Solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of efficient mental and written strategies
MA1-4NA old Applies place value, informally, to count, order, read and represent two- and three-digit numbers MA1-8NA old Creates, represents and continues a variety of patterns with numbers and objects MA1-1WM old Describes mathematical situations and methods using everyday and some mathematical language, actions, materials, diagrams and symbols MA1-2WM old Uses objects, diagrams and technology to explore mathematical problems MA1-3WM old Supports conclusions by explaining or demonstrating how answers were obtained MA1-5NA old Uses a range of strategies and informal recording methods for addition and subtraction involving one- and two-digit numbers MA1-FG-01 new Uses the structure of equal groups to solve multiplication problems, and shares or groups to solve division problems MA1-RWN-01 new Applies an understanding of place value and the role of zero to read, write and order two- and three-digit numbers MA1-CSQ-01 new Uses number bonds and the relationship between addition and subtraction to solve problems involving partitioning
VCMNA113 Solve problems by using number sentences for addition or subtraction VCMNA103 Investigate number sequences, initially those increasing and decreasing by twos, threes, fives and ten from any starting point, then moving to other sequences VCMNA107 Solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of efficient mental and written strategies VCMNA112 Describe patterns with numbers and identify missing elements VCMNA093 Investigate and describe number patterns formed by skip counting and patterns with objects VCMNA094 Recognise the importance of repetition of a process in solving problems VCMNA089 Represent and solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of strategies including counting on, partitioning and rearranging parts

Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.

Differentiation

Modifications

Give students a hundreds chart or number line to check each pattern before they choose. Let students discuss the answer with a partner before anyone taps a tile.

Extensions

Ask students to create their own broken pattern with one wrong number for the class to fix. Students can write a second correct number sentence that matches each round, such as a related subtraction fact.

Teach it your way

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