Mathematics and Statistics · Inquiry B · Years 7–8
Patterns, Proof and Prediction
A pattern in your world — growth rates, game statistics, or spatial relationships — might be coincidence or might be real. You will generalise, justify, and test predictions.
Your mission
Why it matters
Mathematical thinking needs justification: why does the pattern hold, and where does it break?
- You'll make
- A reasoning showcase with generalised rule, evidence, and tested prediction.
- Who it's for
- Class mathematical reasoning showcase
- How long
- About 5 weeks, in any term
- Who takes part
- The whole Years 7–8 class, together
Your first step
Describe the pattern in words and symbols. State one prediction your pattern makes that you can test with new data.
Your journey: SOLVE
- See the Pattern
- Organise Information
- Link Ideas
- Verify
- Explain
Every stage has Getting started, On track and Stretch support, so the whole class can work on it together.
Explore more
Trusted New Zealand sites for your research.
- CensusAtSchool ↗
CensusAtSchool NZ
Real survey data from NZ students to investigate.
- NZ Maths ↗
NZ Maths
Maths problems and activities for NZ classrooms.
- Stats NZ ↗
Tatauranga Aotearoa
Official New Zealand data on people, places and the economy.
For teachers: how to run it
Distinguish correlation from causation in class discussion. Require written justification for generalisations.
Run it with a combined Years 7–8 class in any term. Students record each stage in Kōkiri Learn; you see progress by stage, never rankings or scores.
Ready to run it with your class?
Free trial for NZ schools. One combined Years 7–8 class, any term.