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Reception Maths · ReceptionChapter 8 · Patterns
Reception · Chapter 8

Patterns

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can copy and carry on a repeating pattern
  • I can find the next thing in a longer pattern
  • I can say if a number to 10 is odd or even, by making pairs
  • I can say double a number, and see that doubles are even
  • I can share things equally into groups

You should already know

  • Counting to 10 (Chapter 1)
  • Adding within 10 (Chapter 5)

Where this leads

  • Time and money words (Chapter 9)

Early Years Foundation Stage for England, maths. Content: Copy, continue and make repeating patterns with shapes and colours (AB, AAB, ABC), Know odd and even numbers to 10 by pairing, See doubles as a pattern of two equal groups, Share equally to find half.

Exercise P  Do you remember?

Non-calculator
1
FHow many hands does a person have?
2
FWhich is more, 4 or 6?
3
FWhat is double 2?
4
FWhat number comes before 5?
5
FWhich is less, 9 or 7?
8.1

Copy and continue a pattern

Reception
Copy and continue a repeating pattern of two things (AB)
Video lesson: Copy and continue a patternComing soon

Ravi makes a line of beads. First a red one, then a blue one. Then red, and blue again.

This is a pattern. It keeps repeating: red, blue, red, blue. To carry on the pattern, look at what repeats, then say what comes next.

A pattern of red and blue. What comes next?

Key ideas

  • A pattern repeats the same things again and again.
  • Find the part that repeats.
  • Check the pattern by reading it again.
Worked example 8.1.1
Red, blue, red, blue, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    red, blue, red, blue
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    red, blue, red, blue, red
  3. Write the answer.
    red

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Worked example 8.1.2
Red square, blue square, red square, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    red square, blue square, red square
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    red square, blue square, red square, blue square
  3. Write the answer.
    blue square

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Worked example 8.1.3
Green, yellow, green, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    green, yellow, green
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    green, yellow, green, yellow
  3. Write the answer.
    yellow

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Watch out

Watch out: a pattern can look like it has changed. Look at the start again and check it repeats.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Make a bead or button line with two colours. Ask your child to carry on the pattern, then point to the one that comes next.

Exercise 8A  Carry on the pattern

Non-calculator
1
FRed, blue, red, ... What colour comes next?
2
FBlue, red, blue, ... What colour comes next?
3
FYellow, green, yellow, green, ... What colour comes next?
4
FRed, yellow, red, ... What colour comes next?
5
FGreen, blue, green, blue, ... What colour comes next?
6
FA red square, a blue square, a red square, ... What comes next? Say the colour and the shape.
7
FRed, red, red, ... What colour comes next?
8
FBlue, yellow, blue, yellow, ... What colour comes next?
9
FGreen, red, green, ... What colour comes next?
10
PSCopy the pattern: red, blue, red, blue. What comes next after the last blue?
11
PSAli makes a pattern of two colours. The pattern is yellow, green. Make the next two colours.
12
RMia says the pattern red, blue, red, blue has blue next. Is she right? Explain.
13
RMake your own pattern of two colours. Write it, then say what comes next.
8.2

Longer patterns

Reception
Copy and continue patterns of three things (AAB and ABC)
Video lesson: Longer patternsComing soon

Priya makes a bracelet with beads: red, red, blue, red, red, blue.

This pattern repeats every three beads. The repeat is red, red, blue. Other patterns repeat with three colours: red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow.

Red, red, blue, red, red, blue. What comes next?

Key ideas

  • A repeat can have three things.
  • AAB means two of the same, then one different.
  • ABC means three different things, in the same order.
Worked example 8.2.1
Red, red, blue, red, red, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    red, red, blue, red, red
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    red, red, blue, red, red, blue
  3. Write the answer.
    blue

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Worked example 8.2.2
Red, blue, yellow, red, blue, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    red, blue, yellow, red, blue
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow
  3. Write the answer.
    yellow

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Worked example 8.2.3
Green, green, yellow, green, green, ... What comes next?

Key words. A pattern is something that repeats.

Method. Look for the part that repeats. Then carry on the pattern.

  1. Look at the pattern. Find the part that repeats.
    green, green, yellow, green, green
  2. Carry on the pattern. The next one repeats the start of the pattern.
    green, green, yellow, green, green, yellow
  3. Write the answer.
    yellow

Check. Read the whole pattern again. The repeat fits. ✓

Watch out. Check the last two or three things. They should match the start of the pattern.

Watch out

Watch out: the repeat may be longer than two. Find the whole part that repeats before you decide what is next.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use three colours of buttons. Ask: “What is the repeat? How many in the repeat?” Then carry the pattern on together.

Exercise 8B  Longer patterns

Non-calculator
1
FRed, red, blue, red, red, ... What comes next?
2
FBlue, blue, yellow, blue, blue, ... What comes next?
3
FRed, blue, yellow, red, blue, ... What comes next?
4
FGreen, yellow, red, green, yellow, ... What comes next?
5
FYellow, yellow, green, yellow, yellow, ... What comes next?
6
FBlue, red, green, blue, red, ... What comes next?
7
FRed, red, red, blue, red, red, red, ... What comes next?
8
FGreen, red, red, green, red, red, ... What comes next?
9
FYellow, blue, green, yellow, blue, ... What comes next?
10
PSRuby makes a pattern: blue, blue, red. Copy it twice. What is the last colour?
11
PSSam makes a pattern: yellow, green, red. What colour comes after the second red?
12
RElla says the pattern red, red, blue, red, red, blue is one repeat of two colours. Is she right? Explain.
13
RMake a pattern with three colours that repeats. Write it, then say what comes next.
8.3

Odd and even numbers

Reception
Know odd and even numbers to 10 by pairing
Video lesson: Odd and even numbersComing soon

Sam has some apples. He puts them in pairs. Each apple has a partner.

If every thing has a partner, the number is even. If one is left over with no partner, the number is odd.

Six apples in pairs: even.

Key ideas

  • Even: every thing has a partner.
  • Odd: one thing is left over.
  • Make pairs to check.
Worked example 8.3.1
Is 6 odd or even?

Key words. An even number can be made into pairs. An odd number has one left over.

Method. Put the things in pairs. If every thing has a partner, the number is even. If one is left over, it is odd.

  1. Make pairs from the 6 things. Put two things together in each pair.
    3 pairs
  2. Look for a left-over thing. A left-over thing means there is no partner.
    0 left over
  3. Write the answer.
    even

Check. Count the pairs: 3 pairs, and 0 left over. ✓

Watch out. An even number can be made into pairs with none left over.

Worked example 8.3.2
Is 7 odd or even?

Key words. An even number can be made into pairs. An odd number has one left over.

Method. Put the things in pairs. If every thing has a partner, the number is even. If one is left over, it is odd.

  1. Make pairs from the 7 things. Put two things together in each pair.
    3 pairs
  2. Look for a left-over thing. A left-over thing means there is no partner.
    1 left over
  3. Write the answer.
    odd

Check. Count the pairs: 3 pairs, and 1 left over. ✓

Watch out. An even number can be made into pairs with none left over.

Worked example 8.3.3
Is 4 odd or even?

Key words. An even number can be made into pairs. An odd number has one left over.

Method. Put the things in pairs. If every thing has a partner, the number is even. If one is left over, it is odd.

  1. Make pairs from the 4 things. Put two things together in each pair.
    2 pairs
  2. Look for a left-over thing. A left-over thing means there is no partner.
    0 left over
  3. Write the answer.
    even

Check. Count the pairs: 2 pairs, and 0 left over. ✓

Watch out. An even number can be made into pairs with none left over.

Watch out

Watch out: count the pairs carefully. If you can see a single thing left over, the number is odd.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Use socks or buttons. Pair them up. Ask: “Did any get left over?” Say: even numbers pair up and odd numbers have one left.

Exercise 8C  Odd and even

Non-calculator
1
FIs 2 odd or even?
2
FIs 3 odd or even?
3
FIs 5 odd or even?
4
FIs 8 odd or even?
5
FIs 9 odd or even?
6
FIs 10 odd or even?
7
FIs 1 odd or even?
8
FIs 7 odd or even?
9
FIs 4 odd or even?
10
PSWhich of these numbers is odd? Choose 4, 6 or 7.
11
PSBen has 9 cubes. He tries to make pairs. Is 9 odd or even?
12
RAli says 6 is odd. Is he right? Explain using pairs.
13
RIs the number of fingers on your two hands odd or even? Explain.
8.4

Doubles

Reception
See doubles as two equal groups, Doubles are even numbers
Video lesson: DoublesComing soon

Lily has 3 red cubes and 3 blue cubes. Her two groups are the same, so this is a double: 3 + 3 = 6.

Doubles are always even, because every thing in the total has a partner.

Six cubes in pairs: a double of 3 is even.

Key ideas

  • A double is two equal groups added together.
  • Doubles make even numbers.
  • Check a double by making pairs.
Worked example 8.4.1
What is 3 + 3? Is the answer odd or even?

Method. A double is two equal groups. Add the same number twice. The total is even.

  1. Make two equal groups of 3. The two groups match.
    3 and 3
  2. Add them together. Count all the things.
    3 + 3 = 6
  3. Write the answer.
    6

Check. Make pairs from 6: they all have a partner. ✓

Watch out. Doubles are always even.

Worked example 8.4.2
What is 4 + 4?

Method. A double is two equal groups. Add the same number twice. The total is even.

  1. Make two equal groups of 4. The two groups match.
    4 and 4
  2. Add them together. Count all the things.
    4 + 4 = 8
  3. Write the answer.
    8

Check. Make pairs from 8: they all have a partner. ✓

Watch out. Doubles are always even.

Worked example 8.4.3
What is 5 + 5?

Method. A double is two equal groups. Add the same number twice. The total is even.

  1. Make two equal groups of 5. The two groups match.
    5 and 5
  2. Add them together. Count all the things.
    5 + 5 = 10
  3. Write the answer.
    10

Check. Make pairs from 10: they all have a partner. ✓

Watch out. Doubles are always even.

Watch out

Watch out: 2 + 3 is not a double, because the two groups are different sizes.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Make two equal rows of buttons. Ask: “Are the rows the same? Does every button have a partner?”

Exercise 8D  Doubles

Non-calculator
1
FWhat is 1 + 1?
2
FWhat is 2 + 2?
3
FWhat is 3 + 3?
4
FWhat is 4 + 4?
5
FWhat is 5 + 5?
6
FWhat is double 2?
7
FWhat is double 4?
8
FIs 3 + 3 odd or even?
9
PSTwo bags each have 4 sweets. How many sweets altogether?
10
PSIs 2 + 3 a double? Explain.
11
PSAli says 8 is a double. Can you find the double? Say what it is.
12
RExplain why doubles are always even numbers.
8.5

Sharing equally

Reception
Share equally into groups, Find half of a number
Video lesson: Sharing equallyComing soon

Ben has 8 biscuits. He shares them equally between two friends. Each friend gets the same number.

To share equally, give one to each person, and keep going until none are left. Half of 8 is 4, because two groups of 4 make 8.

Eight biscuits shared equally between two plates.

Key ideas

  • Share equally: each group gets the same number.
  • Half means one of two equal parts.
  • Check by adding the shares together.
Worked example 8.5.1
Share 8 biscuits equally between 2 friends. How many does each friend get?

Key words. To share equally means each group gets the same number.

Method. Share the 8 things equally. Give one to each group, and keep going until none are left.

  1. Start with 8. We share all of them.
    8
  2. Give one to each of the 2 groups, again and again. Each group gets the same number.
    [4] [4]
  3. Count how many each group has. Each group has the same number.
    4 each
  4. Write the answer.
    4

Check. Check: 4 + 4 = 8. ✓

Watch out. Share one at a time, so each group gets the same.

Worked example 8.5.2
Share 6 sweets equally between 3 children. How many does each child get?

Key words. To share equally means each group gets the same number.

Method. Share the 6 things equally. Give one to each group, and keep going until none are left.

  1. Start with 6. We share all of them.
    6
  2. Give one to each of the 3 groups, again and again. Each group gets the same number.
    [2] [2] [2]
  3. Count how many each group has. Each group has the same number.
    2 each
  4. Write the answer.
    2

Check. Check: 2 + 2 + 2 = 6. ✓

Watch out. Share one at a time, so each group gets the same.

Worked example 8.5.3
What is half of 10?

Key words. Half is one of two equal parts.

Method. Half means two equal parts. Share 10 into two equal groups.

  1. Start with 10. We share it into two.
    10
  2. Share it into two equal groups. Give one to each group, again and again.
    5 and 5
  3. Write the answer.
    5

Check. Put the two groups together: 5 + 5 = 10. ✓

Watch out. Half is one of two equal parts.

Watch out

Watch out: share one at a time. If you give all to one friend first, the groups are not equal.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Share 6 buttons between two plates. Ask: “How many on each plate? Are they the same?”

Exercise 8E  Sharing equally

Non-calculator
1
FShare 10 sweets equally between 2 children. How many does each child get?
2
FShare 8 cubes equally between 2 plates. How many on each plate?
3
FShare 6 apples equally between 2 bags. How many in each bag?
4
FShare 6 stars equally between 3 children. How many does each child get?
5
FShare 9 stickers equally between 3 friends. How many does each friend get?
6
FShare 10 balls equally between 5 children. How many does each child get?
7
FWhat is half of 4?
8
FWhat is half of 8?
9
PSRuby has 6 cubes. She shares them equally into two groups. How many cubes in each group?
10
PSTwo friends share 4 crayons equally. Each has the same. How many does each friend have?
11
RSam says 9 sweets can be shared equally between 2 friends. Is he right? Explain.
12
RExplain how you know 5 cannot be shared equally between 2 friends.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Repeating patternsA pattern repeats. Find the repeat, then carry it on.
AAB and ABCPatterns can repeat in threes, such as red, red, blue.
Odd and evenEven numbers make pairs with none left. Odd numbers have one left over.
DoublesA double is two equal groups, such as 3 + 3 = 6, and it is even.
Sharing equallyGive one at a time to each group. Half is one of two equal parts.

Can you…?

  • I can copy and carry on a repeating pattern
  • I can find the next thing in a longer pattern
  • I can say if a number to 10 is odd or even, by making pairs
  • I can say what a double is, and see that doubles are even
  • I can share things equally into groups

Key terms

pattern
something that repeats again and again
repeat
the part of a pattern that comes again and again
odd
a number that has one left over when made into pairs
even
a number that makes pairs with none left over
double
two equal groups added together
share equally
give each group the same number
half
one of two equal parts

Exercise 8Z  Check-up

Non-calculator
1
Red, blue, red, blue, ... What colour comes next?
2
Red, red, blue, red, red, ... What comes next?
3
Yellow, green, red, yellow, green, ... What comes next?
4
Is 4 odd or even?
5
Is 9 odd or even?
6
What is 4 + 4?
7
What is double 5?
8
Share 8 sweets equally between 2 friends. How many does each friend get?
9
What is half of 6?
10
Explain how pairs help you to know if a number is odd or even.

Total 21 marks. Allow about 21 minutes.

Exercise 8X  Practice test questions

Non-calculator
1
FBlue, yellow, blue, yellow, ... What colour comes next?[1 mark]
2
FRed, blue, yellow, red, blue, ... What colour comes next?[1 mark]
3
FIs 7 odd or even?[1 mark]
4
FShare 10 sweets equally between 2 children. How many does each child get?[2 marks]
5
FGreen, green, yellow, green, green, ... What colour comes next?[2 marks]
6
RIs 8 odd or even? Explain using pairs.[2 marks]
7
RRavi says 5 is even because it is one more than 4. Is he right? Explain.[3 marks]
8
PSMake a pattern: red, red, blue. Copy it once more. What is the last colour?[3 marks]
9
RExplain how you can share 8 cubes equally between 2 friends.[3 marks]
10
RIs it possible to share 7 cubes equally between 2 friends? Explain.[3 marks]
← Chapter 7: Shapes and positionChapter 9: Time and money words →

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