Home›Lesson Plans›Mathematics›Operations & Algebraic Thinking · Grade 5

Function Tables

Fifth graders learn that a function table turns each input into an output by following one rule, discover how to find that rule, and use it to fill in the table, then check what they know.

Grade 5Function Tables50 minutes1 class periodGradual ReleaseExplicit teaching4 StandardsCommon Core
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Read an input-output table.
  • ✓Find the rule.
  • ✓Use the rule to complete it.
  • ✓Check what you know.
Essential Question

Put in 2 and out comes 6; put in 5 and out comes 15. The table works like a machine with one secret rule. Can you figure out the rule and predict the next output?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Model · Interactive Tool

Function Table Check

Project this and answer each question about input-output tables and the rules they follow — read the explanation after each one.

🔢 Check what you know about function tablesTry it
Answer each question about input-output tables and the rules they follow.
The Lesson · Gradual Release (I Do · We Do · You Do)

50 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — A Number Machine

5 min

Put in 2 and out comes 6. Put in 5 and out comes 15. The table works like a machine with one secret rule. Can you figure out the rule and predict the next output?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show an input-output table.
  • Ask for the rule.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Function Table Check

12 min

Students answer questions about function tables.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Function Table Check.
  • Answer each question.
  • Read the why.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer.
  • Check.
  • Read it.
3

Modify — Find the Rule

13 min

Students uncover the rule.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Look at an input and output.
  • Find what the rule does.
  • Test it on another row.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Find.
  • Test.
4

Create — My Number Machine

15 min

Students build a table.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pick a rule, like times 4.
  • Make a table of inputs.
  • Fill in the outputs.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Pick.
  • Make.
  • Fill.
5

Reflect — One Rule, Every Row

5 min

Students reflect on function tables.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • What is the rule in a function table?
  • If the rule is add 3, what comes out when you put in 10?
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Say it.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

CCSS
5.OA.B.3

Generate two number patterns from rules and form ordered pairs.

CCSS
4.OA.C.5

Generate a number pattern that follows a given rule.

CCSS
3.OA.D.9

Identify arithmetic patterns and explain them.

CCSS
MP.7

Look for and make use of structure.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Input-output table cards.
  • Sentence frame: “The rule is ___ , so ___ gives ___ .”
  • Answer one question at a time.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with an add rule.
  • Find one rule together.
  • Review one question at a time.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Find rules with two steps, like times 2 then add 1.
  • Write ordered pairs from a table.
  • Explain how to check a rule on every row.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🖼️Input-output table cards
  • 💻Function Table Check
  • 🔢Number cards
  • ✏️Pencils
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

function tablea table that turns inputs into outputs by a ruleinputthe number you start with, before the ruleoutputthe number you get after the rule is appliedrulethe operation the table does to every inputpatterna predictable way numbers changeordered pairan input and its output written togetherpredictto say the next output using the ruleoperationadding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is the rule in a function table?
The one operation the table does to every input to get the output, like multiply by 3 or add 5.
QUESTION 2
If the rule is add 3, what comes out when you put in 10?
13, because 10 + 3 = 13.
QUESTION 3
How do you find the rule from a table?
See what is done to an input to get its output, then test that rule on another row to be sure.

Create: my number machine.

Have students pick a rule like times 4, make a table of inputs, and fill in the outputs, so the rule and the pattern connect. A printable function-tables worksheet is in the Mathematics library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Function TablesFlip
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Term
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Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Function TablesQuiz
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Question 1
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Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Function TablesPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: function table, input, operation, ordered pair, output, pattern, predict, rule
  1. the operation the table does to every input
  2. a predictable way numbers change
  3. to say the next output using the rule
  4. adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing
  5. the number you get after the rule is applied
  6. an input and its output written together
  7. a table that turns inputs into outputs by a rule
  8. the number you start with, before the rule

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is the rule in a function table?
  2. If the rule is add 3, what comes out when you put in 10?
  3. How do you find the rule from a table?
Answer key — Part A: 1) rule · 2) pattern · 3) predict · 4) operation · 5) output · 6) ordered pair · 7) function table · 8) input
Part B: 1) The one operation the table does to every input to get the output, like multiply by 3 or add 5. 2) 13, because 10 + 3 = 13. 3) See what is done to an input to get its output, then test that rule on another row to be sure.