Math Lesson Plan · Grades 6–9

Pattern Rules Lesson

Teach students to write rules for number patterns using algebraic expressions. The lesson shows how to express a pattern rule as a formula and use it to find any term in the sequence, connecting patterns to early algebra. Includes 20 practice problems and answer key.

Lesson Overview

Writing and Applying Pattern Rules

A pattern rule describes how each term in a sequence is generated. When a rule can be expressed algebraically — such as “the nth term = 3n + 1” — it can be used to find any term without listing all previous ones. The lesson builds on pattern identification to write formal rules.

The five-page lesson walks through identifying patterns, writing rules as expressions, and applying rules to find specific terms. Students complete 20 practice problems and check their work using the answer key on page 5.

How to Use This Lesson

1. Review pattern identification and introduce rule-writing (pages 1–2). Show how rules translate to algebraic expressions.

2. Practice writing rules for given sequences together (pages 2–3). Use the rule to find specific terms.

3. Assign the 20 practice problems (page 4) independently. Review answers using the key on page 5.

Printable Resource

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