What students learn in AC9M6A03
This unit helps students build a clear, usable understanding of And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions.... The goal is not to memorise one answer pattern. Students should be able to explain the idea, recognise it in a new example and apply it in a short practice or worksheet task.
- Start with the main idea: create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions that use rules to generate sets of numbers; identify, interpret and explain emerging patterns.
- Use concrete examples, pictures, oral explanation and short written responses before moving to independent practice.
- using an algorithm to create extended number sequences involving rational numbers, using a rule and digital tools, explaining any emerging patterns designing an algorithm to model operations, using the concept of input and output, describing and explaining relationships and any emerging patterns; for example, using function machines to model operations and recognising and comparing additive and multiplicative relationships
- Finish with mixed questions so students must choose the correct strategy rather than copy the last example.
Curriculum coverage and elaborations
The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning but may not appear in the initial eight-question activity.
- Content description: create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions that use rules to generate sets of numbers; identify, interpret and explain emerging patterns
- E1: using an algorithm to create extended number sequences involving rational numbers, using a rule and digital tools, explaining any emerging patterns
- E2: designing an algorithm to model operations, using the concept of input and output, describing and explaining relationships and any emerging patterns; for example, using function machines to model operations and recognising and comparing additive and multiplicative relationships
- E3: designing an algorithm or writing a simple program to generate a sequence of numbers based on the user’s input and a chosen operation, discussing any emerging patterns; for example, generating a sequence of numbers and comparing how quickly the sequences are growing in comparison to each other using the rule adding 2 to the input number compared to multiplying the input number by 2
How to use this unit
Read the topic guide, use the teacher slide for instruction, then complete the Worksheet, Practice and Test. These three activities use the same eight-question unit bank.
Teacher resource
AC9M6A03 teacher slide
Use this one-page PDF to introduce the key idea, vocabulary and teaching sequence before students begin the activities.
Open teacher slide (PDF)Common mistakes to watch for
- Rushing to a rule before checking the concrete model, drawing or number sentence.
- Using the correct answer once but not being able to explain why it works.
- Mixing up similar vocabulary such as more/less, before/after, longer/shorter or equal groups/sharing.
International curriculum mapping
This table gives closest-topic mapping for search and planning. The Australian Curriculum code is exact; overseas entries are broad equivalents because each jurisdiction structures outcomes differently.
| Region | Curriculum | Closest mapping |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Curriculum v9.0 | AC9M6A03 — create and use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions that use rules to generate sets of numbers; identify, interpret and explain emerging patterns |
| Victoria | Victorian Curriculum F-10 | Year 6 Maths: closest match in Algebra. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference. |
| NSW | NSW Curriculum | Stage 3 Maths: closest content focus for And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions... and related outcomes. |
| United States | Common Core / NGSS | Grade 6 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions.... |
| England / UK | National Curriculum | Key Stage 2 / Year 6: closest programme-of-study match for And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions.... |
| Canada | Provincial and territory curricula | Grade 6 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference. |
| New Zealand | New Zealand Curriculum | Level 3 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions.... |
| India | NCERT / CBSE | Class 6 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for And use algorithms involving a sequence of steps and decisions.... |