Patterns on a Plate Task Cards: Treat Time is a deliciously engaging resource that supports students in recognising, continuing, and describing number patterns. This hands-on activity offers a fun and practical way for young learners to apply their knowledge of skip counting and repeated addition as they track how food items increase across a series of plates.

Ideal for small groups or independent tasks, students will use the treat-themed task cards to determine how the number of items grows across two, three, or four plates. As they explore, they’ll record their findings and describe the patterns they observe, such as counting by twos or adding three each time.

This low-prep resource makes a fantastic addition to maths rotations, early finishers, or targeted numeracy sessions. With visual cues and playful design, it helps make abstract patterning concepts feel concrete and enjoyable for early years and lower primary students.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify and describe number patterns using repeated addition
• ✅ Practise skip counting and simple multiplication concepts
• ✅ Strengthen problem-solving and logical thinking skills
• ✅ Use mathematical language to explain pattern rules (e.g. “add 2 each time”)
• ✅ Record number sequences in a structured and accurate way

What’s Included:

• 24 food-themed pattern task cards
• Student recording sheets
• Teacher instructions and prep tips

Materials Needed:

• Printed task cards (recommended on cardstock for durability)
• Scissors (for initial task card preparation)
• Pencils or markers
• Student recording sheets

How to Use:

1. Introduce or revise the concept of number patterns with your class.
2. Explain how to work through a task card: examine the pattern on the plates, identify how the food increases, and extend it.
3. Provide each student or pair with task cards and a recording sheet.
4. Students record how many items would be on two, three, or four plates.
5. Encourage students to describe the pattern verbally or in writing (e.g. “add 2 more each time”).

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during a maths unit on patterning, multiplication, or skip counting
• 💡 Set up in a numeracy rotation with students taking turns on different cards
• 💡 Use as an extension task for students ready for more complex number thinking
• 💡 Pair with manipulatives like counters or food tokens to support hands-on learners

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Laminate the task cards for long-term use and easy classroom setup
• 💛 Challenge fast finishers to create their own food pattern card for a partner to solve
• 💛 Model different ways of describing patterns (e.g. numerically and in words)
• 💛 Differentiate by offering fewer or more complex plates to match student ability

Patterns on a Plate Task Cards: Treat Time makes patterning feel playful and purposeful - the perfect recipe for meaningful maths learning in the early years classroom!