Illuminations: Powerful Patterns

Powerful Patterns

More Patterns

Students extend their knowledge of linear patterns by recognizing and discussing familiar patterns. Students make auditory and visual patterns from names. An art activity is suggested as an extension.

Learning Objectives
 
Students will:
  • recognize an auditory pattern
  • make two-dimensional patterns on a grid

Materials
 
Computer and Internet connection
Name Grids Activity Sheet (which include blank 10 × 10 grids)
Crayons
Song Lyrics Resource Sheet

Instructional Plan

Begin this lesson by singing the song Bingo. Explain that each time the students sing the song, they will replace one more letter in the dog’s name with a clap. Discuss the patterns in this song.

Next distribute to each student and have them write their names in one of the 10 × 10 grids, starting in the top left square. (You may cut the grid into a 10 × 5 grid for younger students.) After they have printed their name once, have the students continue writing it starting in the very next square until the grid is full. The example below shows how the grid would be completed for the name SARA.

Name Grids Activity Sheet Name Grids Activity Sheet

Allow students to color their name patterns according to the following directions. As you read the directions out loud, you should also demonstrate the process with a sample grid.

  • Choose a crayon for the first letter of your name. Color the first box.
  • Color each box in which that letter appears with the same color. For example, if the first letter of your name is A, all the boxes with the letter A will be the same color.
  • Choose a different color for the next box that is not colored already. Color all the boxes with that letter the second color.
  • Continue in this way until all the boxes are colored.
The grid below shows what the grid would look like after all S's have been colored yellow.

 

 

Now call on a volunteer to describe the grid pattern which he or she colored. For the name SARA, the pattern is ABCB. Ask students to describe any other patterns they see on the grid. Ask if anyone else’s grid had the same pattern. (It is important to emphasize that students did not have to use the exact same colors to have the same pattern as someone else. For instance, red-blue-green is the same as yellow-orange-brown in terms of a pattern core.) Then ask for students who have other patterns to show their grids. Suggest the students sort the grids by taping the grids with identical patterns in a column to make a bar graph. (Mai, Nya, and Sam will have identical patterns as will Eddy, Anne, and Soon.) Ask the students where Bingo's grid would go. (Teacher note: It might be interesting to have students complete this activity with different size grids and compare the patterns. Use the 6 × 6 or 7 × 7 grids on the second page of the activity sheet.

Name patterns make a great bulletin board display. Cut out the grids and mount them on black construction paper to make the colors stand out.

Questions for Students
 

What patterns are in the song Bingo?

[The pattern changes each time we sing the song. The first pattern is ABCDE. When we clap, the patterns are ABCDE, AABCD, AAABC, AAAAB.]

What would Bingo’s name pattern look like?

[Bingo’s pattern would be ABCDE.]

Who in the class would have the same name pattern as Bingo?

[Answers will vary, but possible names are Ringo, Marge, Micah, Myrna, Pablo, Izhak, and any other name with five different letters.]

Which words on our word wall would have the same grid pattern as Amy? As Yanna?

[Answers will vary.]

Does your name pattern change when you use a different size grid?

[The pattern going up and down (in columns) changes, but my name pattern stays the same.

Assessment Options
 
  1. Collect students’ name pattern activity sheets.
  2. Have students change their names into auditory or kinesthetic patterns. They can write or perform these patterns. Take note of which students are able to do this independently.

Extensions
 
  1. This extension option is an art activity. Provide students with grid paper and crayons and ask them to design a placemat using a two-dimensional pattern.

Teacher Reflection
 
  • Were students able to recognize and name patterns?
  • Were students able to create patterns from their names?
  • What instructional experiences are necessary for students who did not meet the objectives?
  • What other songs might I use in the lesson?
  • Are there some predictable books which I could read to the students that use patterns?

NCTM Standards and Expectations
 
Algebra Pre-K-2
  1. Recognize, describe, and extend patterns such as sequences of sounds and shapes or simple numeric patterns and translate from one representation to another.
This lesson prepared by Grace M. Burton.
  
1 period   

NCTM Resources

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics

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