Number sequencing - Naplan numeracy practice

Looking for number sequences is something that kids practise through junior school years.  It helps develop their logic thinking skills and in recognising patterns. It's also great practice for their mental arithmetic - adding, subtracting and multiplying.

 They may start out with very simple patterns like this:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10.........

Here the rule is to 'add 2'

And then move on to patterns that involve subtraction, multiplication or combinations of calculations.

Questions involving number sequences can be found on both Grade 3 and Grade 5 Naplan numeracy tests:

Here's an example from a Grade 3 paper:

46, 40, 34, ?

What is the next number in counting pattern?

Is it 26, 28, 30 or 38?

And here's one from a Grade 5 paper:

What is the next number in this pattern?

810, 910, ?

There are some great online games for kids to practice number sequencing.

This Caterpillar ordering and sequencing game is great for kids to build up their skills from simply putting the number in order numerically up to simple sequences in multiples.

(source:  www.topmarks.co.uk)

For a more advanced game - more suited to those Grade 5 kids - there is a great game to crack codes by finding the number sequence rule. You have to find the correct numbers or rule for the sequence to collect bio rods - and get them before the Wardroid attacks you!   

There is also another number sequencing game on this same website with slightly less fancy graphics - but still good fun - cracking codes to open the safe door!

These games are from BBC's KS2 Bitesize website which has lots of brilliant educational games for English, Maths and Science.

These are great short games you can encourage your kids to play when they go on the computer.  When I find these fun games I often email the links to our girls. They get the excitement of getting a new email - and a new game to play!

Have fun with number sequencing!!