Mathematics 5 curriculum guide 2015 I table of contents acknowledgements

Patterns and Relations (Patterns)
5PR1.6 Determine and explain 
why a given number is or is not 
the next element in a pattern.
The challenge with patterning or sequencing of numbers is not only to 
find and extend the pattern, but to be able to determine if an element 
is or is not the next one in the pattern. It is important for students to 
identify errors in patterns to prevent them from continuing to extend a 
pattern incorrectly. 
It is helpful for students to think of a pattern rule and apply it when 
analyzing tables or charts for errors.
Present the class with the following problem.
Jim was conducting a science experiment on plant growth. The growth
occurred based on a pattern. After each week, he recorded the height of 
his plant in the following chart:
Plant Growth
Week(s)
Height (cm)
1
20
2
40
3
60
4
100
5
120
Ask students to describe the pattern shown in Jim’s chart. They should 
realize that there is an error. Ask them to identify and explain the error 
and support their findings.
The pattern example with the strawberry seeds in
 Math Focus 5
provides a springboard to
 The Grapes of Math
 
by Gregory Tang. In this 
children’s book, Tang suggests ways to use patterns in order to make 
addition, multiplication and subtraction easier. It asks students to be 
open-minded in their work with numbers and think strategicially to 
facilitate easier computation. Students could create their own artwork 
which presents similar math strategies, post them, and challenge their 
classmates to find patterns that help solve the questions presented. This 
might also combine with art techniques and lead to the cross curricular 
creation of a class book.
5PR1 Continued...