Alien planet maths quest: patterns
A story-led junior maths adventure using strange number systems and gravity jumps to continue repeating and growing patterns.
Quick answer
Patterns are repeating or growing sequences that help us predict what comes next. On an alien planet, you might find patterns in the gravity jumps, the way rocks fall, or the arrangement of plants. By spotting and continuing these patterns, you can solve puzzles and understand how the planet works!
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to spot, describe, and continue simple repeating and growing patterns using objects, numbers, or pictures.
- You can identify a pattern when you see the same thing happening over and over.
- You can describe what comes next in a pattern.
- You can make your own simple patterns using shapes, colours, or numbers.
- You can solve simple pattern puzzles by predicting what comes next.
Why this matters
Patterns help us make sense of the world around us. When you're learning to read, you see patterns in words. When you're playing a game, you notice patterns in how things move. In maths, patterns help us predict the future, solve problems, and even help aliens understand how Earth works. Whether you're looking at the stars, counting your pocket money, or making a necklace, patterns are everywhere!
How it works
Patterns are sequences of things that follow a rule. There are two main types:
- Repeating patterns – These are things that go in a loop, like red, blue, green, red, blue, green.
- Growing patterns – These are things that get bigger or change in a predictable way, like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
When you see a pattern, ask:
- What is the rule?
- What comes next?
- Can I make my own pattern?
Examples you can see
Let's imagine you're on an alien planet and you see this pattern in the rocks:
| Rock 1 | Rock 2 | Rock 3 | Rock 4 | Rock 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | Green | Red | Blue |
This is a repeating pattern: Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue. What comes next? A Green rock!
Another pattern you might see is in the gravity jumps of the aliens:
| Jump 1 | Jump 2 | Jump 3 | Jump 4 | Jump 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 jump | 2 jumps | 3 jumps | 4 jumps | 5 jumps |
This is a growing pattern: each jump is one more than the last. What comes next? 6 jumps!
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you're an explorer on an alien planet. You've found a strange pattern in the ground:
- Step 1: 1 red block
- Step 2: 2 blue blocks
- Step 3: 3 green blocks
- Step 4: 4 red blocks
- Step 5: 5 blue blocks
- Step 6: 6 green blocks
- Step 7: ? blocks
What pattern do you see? What comes next? Can you build the pattern with blocks or draw it?
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that a pattern is just random. Why it happens: Not looking carefully at what is happening in the sequence. Fix: Look for the rule – what is the pattern doing? Is it repeating or growing?
- Mistake: Confusing a repeating pattern with a growing one. Why it happens: Not noticing if the pattern is getting bigger or staying the same. Fix: Count the number of items or steps. If they stay the same, it's repeating. If they increase, it's growing.
- Mistake: Guessing what comes next without looking at the rule. Why it happens: Wanting to be quick instead of careful. Fix: Take a deep breath, look at the pattern, and figure out the rule before guessing.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child explore patterns by:
- Looking for patterns in daily life – like the tiles on the floor, the rhythm of music, or the days of the week.
- Playing pattern games together – like "What comes next?" or "Can you make a pattern with buttons or toys?"
- Encouraging them to draw or build patterns using shapes, colours, or numbers.
- Noticing when they make mistakes and gently guiding them back to the rule.
- Being patient – it's okay to take time to understand a pattern!
Remember: patterns are about rules, not just what looks pretty. Focus on the thinking, not just the answers.
Practice questions
- What comes next in the pattern: Red, Blue, Green, Red, Blue, ? Answer: Green
- What comes next in the pattern: 1, 3, 5, 7, ? Answer: 9
- Make your own repeating pattern using 3 shapes. Answer: (Example: Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle)
- What comes next in the pattern: 2, 4, 6, 8, ? Answer: 10
- What comes next in the pattern: 10, 9, 8, 7, ? Answer: 6
FAQ
What is a pattern? A pattern is a repeated or growing sequence of things, like shapes, numbers, or actions.
How can I find patterns in everyday life? Look at things like the seasons, the days of the week, or the way your toys are arranged.
Can patterns be in numbers? Yes! Numbers can form patterns like 2, 4, 6, 8 or 1, 3, 5, 7.
What’s the difference between repeating and growing patterns? Repeating patterns repeat the same thing over and over. Growing patterns change in a predictable way, like getting bigger or smaller.
Why are patterns important? Patterns help us predict what comes next, solve problems, and understand the world around us.