To assess prior knowledge, group the students in pairs, and give each student three objects that could constitute the core of a pattern, such as one green cube, one yellow cube, and one white cube; or one hexagon, one blue rhombus, and one trapezoid; or one big button, one mid-sized button, and one small button.
Ask the students to work together by having one member of the pair begin a pattern and the second member of the pair draw the next six shapes needed to make two more repeats of the core. Repeat this activity so that each member of the pair has a turn beginning and completing a pattern.
Give each student a copy of Complete the Pattern activity sheet, and have him or her work independently by placing objects on the boxes with an "X" and drawing the two repeats of the core (what would come next if there were two more repeats).
Review the students' work to determine which students understand the concept of creating and recording repeating patterns and which do not.
Save these samples to measure progress, determine grouping strategies, or provide feedback to the students.
To begin the lesson, model for the students how to create an ABC pattern using sounds and movement such as (1) stand up, sit down, snap or (2) squat, stand, clap. Remember to repeat the pattern core at least three times so the students experience the process of creating a repeating pattern.
Show the students different ways to represent the same pattern, ABC, such as by counting "one, two, three" or by gluing a square, circle, and triangle to a strip of paper.
You might choose to use the Pattern Block virtual manipulative to model what a "stand up, sit down, snap" pattern would look like using different pattern block shapes.
Explain the elements of a pattern.
In the example above, the blue rhombus represents the "stand up" element, the red trapezoid represents the "sit down" element, and the green triangle represents the "snap" element. These elements must be repeated at least two more times to establish a pattern.
Focus the students' attention on the similarities among the different representations of the same pattern by comparing and identifying the common properties of the core in each pattern. (Each has three elements that constitute the core.)
Creating different representations of the patterns and comparing them helps the students make important connections. This exercise builds understanding of the consistency of the pattern and builds the students' ability to recognize translations of the same pattern in multiple media.
Divide the class into four groups of equal size. Give each group a large piece of paper and crayons or markers.
Show a pattern--such as clap, snap, squat--and have one group represent it with letters. Review this representation, noting how the one you presented compares to the one generated by the group.
Ask a second group of students to show the pattern using numbers. Review and discuss this way of representing the pattern. Remember to point out similarities and differences among the three representations.
Have the third group show the pattern using objects. Review and discuss.
Ask the fourth group to represent the pattern with pictures. Review and discuss.
Post the four representations alongside the pattern you presented, and ask the students to point out other similarities and differences.
The discussions following the creation of each pattern are essential to help the students have a visual memory of the pattern so that they have a referent in their "mind's eye" when they are asked to create similar patterns at another time.
