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Monday, September 22, 2014

Patterns, Patterns, Everywhere!

Hi everyone, it is Jane checking in with a few ideas for teaching patterns in math.  I just moved down to grade two from grade five so it has been a bit of an adjustment. A nice one though!  One of the pros of moving to grade two has been all the hugs you receive in the run of the day but one of the cons is that I am now battling a cold.  Not only am I teaching about patterns but also how to cover our mouths when we sneeze.  Anyway back to patterns and a few ideas I found for teaching them that I hope may help your students.

1.  BrainPop Jr.


If you are a subscriber to BrainPop Jr. there is a great introductory video about patterns you can show to introduce patterns.   


2.  Anchor charts


I don't know about you but I love looking on Pinterest for ideas for my anchor charts.  Here are two great ones you can use to help design your own chart.  I used the first one to introduce repeating patterns and the second one to tell about attributes.


3.  Games


My students loved playing "Pattern Whackers".  I divided the class into two teams and gave each team a fly swatter that I had purchased at the local dollar store.  On my whiteboard I had the following pattern cards and when I described the pattern using letters (for example ABBC) the first student to whack the corresponding picture pattern won a point for their team.  It was a great way to get all students engaged and looking for the picture cards.  When I am feeling better I will add them to my TPT store here.
Pattern Whackers
 Another great game is to hide pattern cards around your class and then put your students in groups of two to "Solve the Room".  You can get a blank solve the room recording sheet here.

4.  Fast Finishers

For my students who finished their work early I made them blank pattern booklets for them to create their own patterns using the knowledge we had learned throughout the week.  To get a copy of this freebie click here.

My Pattern Book
If you have any pattern activities that you have used with your students I would love to hear about them.





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