This is an engaging cut-and-paste activity that will challenge students to determine whether a set of numbers represents a pattern or not. In their role as a Pattern Police Officer, students will provide reasons for why a set of numbers is or isn’t a pattern, gluing them into the correct column.

Students will be required to determine the pattern in a series of numbers, identifying the amount that the numbers are increasing by each time. Students may require space to work this out and will need to use basic number facts and knowledge to assist them.

This resource is a low-preparation activity; simply print it and teach it. Versatile in its application, it can be used during a lesson, as part of a numeracy rotation, to gather evidence for assessment or pop in a relief folder. Three sets of patterns are included; each can be used with the main worksheet. We have included answer pages for your convenience.

It’s time for the Pattern Police to patrol some patterns!