Math Pattern Exploration in Fourth Grade

Can you guess the direction?

We started the year exploring patterns in numbers. Students worked with 0-99 charts to discover how incredibly orderly numbers really are. They worked to find patterns and properties in our number system.  Students worked in teams and were given their own charts to explore with. The teams were given directives such as, “Color in all the numbers whose first digits are larger than their second digits.”

After each directive, the teams would discuss their thinking and at times work to persuade their fellow team members that they were correct. The discussions were rich with ideas and many questions were raised throughout the exercise. An example of one question raised was whether zero was an odd or even number.

The students had lots of opportunities to explore multiples, geometric vocabulary and create their own directions. Once each team created six different directions all 18 were pooled into one document and were used for the basis of a 0-99 chart game.

Each team dealt out cards numbered 0-99 and had a chart they needed to fill in using the 18 different directions. The object of the game was to be the first to go out. Students took what they learned about patterns the previous day and tried to place their digit cards down as each direction was readout.

Students needed to stay sharp to be sure they were not missing an opportunity to lay a number down while checking to make sure their opponent's cards were accurate. As we move into multi-digit multiplication and division soon the mental math required for multiples work helped reinforce their math facts and strengthened their confidence in what they already know.