Patterning

We have started a unit on patterning and students are practising finding the sums and differences of numbers in order to extend patterns. They have been learning to "count on" to find the difference, or the gap, between numbers. Some have been using mental math, number lines ("how many jumps between?"), or fingers ("start with your fist closed and count up on your fingers until you reach the next number"). Whatever strategy works! This skill is helpful when trying to find a missing number in an equation (see the second sample below).