Shape patterns
METALook for and use mathematical structure: apply properties of operations, place-value patterns, and relationships between shapes to solve problems efficiently
Mastery Evidence
- Use the commutative property deliberately (e.g. reorder 3 + 9 as 9 + 3 to count on from the larger number)
- Use place-value structure to add or subtract tens (e.g. 47 + 10 = 57 because only the tens digit changes)
- Recognise structural similarities between shapes (e.g. rectangles and squares both have 4 sides and 4 right angles)
Assessment Prompt
“When [child] notices a pattern in their maths work — like how multiplying by 10 always adds a zero — do they use that pattern to solve similar problems more quickly?”
Prerequisites3
- Addition in any ordersoftAges 6—7
- The two digits of a two-digit numbersoftAges 6—7
- Spotting mathematical patternshardAges 5—6
Show full prerequisite tree
- Addition in any order soft
Deliberately applying commutativity to make addition easier exercises using structure
- Addition as combining or putting together two hard
Understanding commutativity of addition requires understanding addition
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding addition as combining groups requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- The two digits of a two-digit number soft
Using place-value structure (tens and ones) to solve problems efficiently
- A Ten Is Ten Ones hard
Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle
- The teen numbers hard
Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard
Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals
- How Many in Total? hard
Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Writing digits 0-9 hard
Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)
- The teen numbers hard
General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard
Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals
- How Many in Total? hard
Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Writing digits 0-9 hard
Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)
- Spotting mathematical patterns hard
Age 6-7 using structure deliberately builds on age 5-6 noticing simple patterns and structure
- Addition as combining or putting together two soft
Noticing commutativity of addition exercises spotting structural patterns
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding addition as combining groups requires knowing numbers represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- How Many in Total? hard
Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard
Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals
- How Many in Total? hard
Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)
- One-to-one counting hard
Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'
- Writing digits 0-9 hard
Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)
Unlocks1
- Shape patterns (age 7+)hardAges 7—8