Curriculum Guides

Grade Level: Second

Content Area: Patterns

Skills: Geometric Patterns

Looking at patterns and extending the patterns by predicting additional steps in each sequence used. (The ability to see patterns is an essential element in understanding mathematics and is closely connected to the ability to think logically.)

Instructional Practices: Reasoning

Materials Needed: Teacher Overhead Projector (square shapes), student - tiles

Technology: Pattern Blocks

Activity: The teacher places tiles on the overhead projector.

(Teacher - I have made three steps of a tile pattern. Please copy these steps with your tiles. If you think you can predict my next step, make it with tiles on your desk.)

The teacher gives the students a few minutes to copy the pattern. Those who wish to, predict and build the next step. The teacher then places the fourth step to the pattern on the overhead.

(Teacher - If you predicted that my fourth step would look like this, you have probably figured out the pattern I am making. If your fourth step is different from mine, you are thinking of a different pattern. Look at my pattern again and try to predict what my next step will be. See if you can make it at your desk before I make it on the overhead.)

While the students are adding steps, the teacher walks around the room and observes. This procedure will be repeated adding new patterns. The patterns are kept very simple at the beginning.

Theme Ideas:

Discuss different pattern shapes in the community (examples house shapes, building shapes, etc.)