Compare Rules and Generalise - Year 6

Compare two visually growing square constructions with evidence students can see, calculate and explain. A joined row shares complete sides; separate squares have gaps. The class learns why both constructions use four sticks at the first position yet follow different rules. Students test a claim at another position and explain the result through the diagram, table and stated rule.

The five lessons include explicit modelling, graduated practice, a partner evidence workshop, transfer rehearsal and an independent assessment. The three-page teacher guide gives lesson moves, equipment, access routes and a teacher key for all 12 workshop challenges.

What's included

• 25-page print-ready Unit Plan PDF with contents page, three teacher-guide pages and 21 original resource pages, including six matching answer/marking pages
• Colour display, 12 model cards, 12 partner challenge cards and workshop instructions
• Guided, independent and transfer practice; two rehearsal sheets
• Independent diagram–table–rule assessment and observable learning rubric
• Editable 18-slide PowerPoint presentation
• Editable 26-slide PowerPoint quiz with 12 question/answer pairs
• Watermarked 69-page Preview PDF and Table of Contents JPG

Learning focus

Compare visually growing constructions, connect diagrams, tables and rules, and evaluate an all-cases pattern claim with a valid counterexample. State the intended construction before generalising from a short number list.

Classroom use

Teach across five 45–60-minute lessons. Use the display and model cards for whole-class explanation, practice pages for gradual release, the workshop cards for partner reasoning, and the assessment and rubric for independent evidence. Paper, pencils and counters or safe matchsticks are sufficient; no coding platform or account is required.

Formats and answers

PDF Unit Plan: 25 pages. Editable PowerPoint presentation: 18 slides. Editable PowerPoint quiz: 26 slides. Total content pages/slides: 69. The watermarked Preview repeats the 69 content pages/slides. Six matching answer/marking pages are included directly after their student sheets; quiz answer slides explain each response.

Teacher benefits

The same square constructions appear across representations, giving teachers a coherent route from counting to justified claims. The assessment asks for a diagram–table–rule explanation and a counterexample rather than a guessed continuation.

Digital product and licence

Digital download; no physical item ships. Refer to the licence terms shown at purchase for permitted use.