PIPS Genius Lab · Math Magic · Sample lesson

The Number Sprite.

A short story-led lesson where Pip meets a tiny mathematical creature who’s lost her favourite numbers. To get them back, you’ll need to find the pattern hiding inside multiplication.

Ages 8–12 ~10 minutes Multiplication · Patterns Story-led
1

Pip meets the Number Sprite.

Pip was wandering through the Garden of Numbers when she heard a tiny hiccup coming from behind a tall sunflower. She tiptoed closer and there she was — a sprite the size of a thumb, made entirely of tiny glowing digits.

Lumi the Number Sprite
“Oh thank goodness! My favourite numbers are missing from the row. I can’t fly home without them. Can you help me find what comes next?”

Lumi held out her tiny hand and a row of numbers floated above it — but one was missing.

2

The first pattern.

Look closely at Lumi’s row of numbers. Can you spot what comes between?

2
4
6
?
10
3

The pattern is a secret door.

You found it: 8. Lumi clapped her glowing hands together and the row started to shimmer.

Lumi
“Did you notice? Every number was 2 more than the one before it. That pattern has another name — it’s the two times table. Watch…”
2 × 12
2 × 24
2 × 36
2 × 48
2 × 510
2 × 612

Tap each card to reveal the answer. Notice how they grow.

4

Your turn, explorer.

Lumi has one more row to repair before she can fly home. This one is the three times table. What number should fill the gap?

3
6
9
?
15

What goes in the missing slot?

5

The Pattern Spotter.

Lumi’s row was complete. She rose into the air, leaving a tiny golden trail behind her. Just before she vanished, she pinned something onto Pip’s coat — a small glowing medal with an unmistakable shine.

Achievement unlocked
Pattern Spotter

“Anyone who can see what comes next holds a small kind of magic. You found mine.”

💡
What you just did
You spotted a pattern (each number grew by the same amount), recognised it as multiplication, and used it to predict the next number. That single skill underpins almost every kind of math you’ll meet.