Early algebra skills

"Resource Bank" is a series of books that provides teachers with a variety of essential sources - an A1 double-sided poster, photocopiables and lesson plans - focusing on particular skills or curriculum content knowledge.

The lesson plans are structured to support direct teaching of the whole class followed by differentiated group/individual work.The NNS Framework for Teaching Maths considers specifically "laying the foundation for algebra" at Key Stage 1 and 2, and covers algebra at Key Stage 1 as "reasoning about numbers and shapes".

This volume progresses from talking about and recreating shape patterns to investigating general statements about sequences of familiar numbers and suggesting other numbers that might satisfy the rules of the sequence, using some simple written recording.

The story shown on the A1 poster "Trouble in Rainbow Town", and referred to throughout the activities provides an appropriate context for helping Key Stage 1 children to practise sequencing and generalizing skills.