Lesson 3: Missing Numbers

Use the sheet "More Missing Numbers!" for this activity. Show: 1, __, 3, __, 5, __, 7, __, 9, __, 11, __. What goes in the blanks? (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) How do you know? What are you counting by when you write the missing numbers? (2's)

On the same sheet, ask your child to use the number line shown to write a list of numbers that show missing numbers when we count by 5s from 1. (1, 2, 3, 4, __, 6, 7, 8, 9, __, etc)

Point out that we can fill in missing numbers in patterns even when we don't start at the number 1: 7, __, 9, __, 11, __, 13, __, 15, __. What numbers are missing? (8, 10, 12, 14, 16)

Ask your child to try this challenge: 2, 5, 8, __, __, __ What are the missing numbers here? (11, 14, 17) What are you counting by? (3's)

Direct him to complete the remaining number sets on the page by filling in the blanks with the missing numbers. (Answers to additional number sets: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24; 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4; 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21)

This activity asks your child to create his own number patterns for someone else to solve. There are two options available. The first option is easier than the second one because the patterns are easier to create. The second option asks for more abstract thinking because the requirements for the patterns are more complicated.

Read over both "Create Your Own Number Pattern" sheets and then give him one of them. Tell him to follow the directions provided to create and write his patterns on the sheet.