This lesson is designed to measure what the students have learned in previous lessons. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully observe and document the students' performance to determine whether it is time to move to another mathematical concept or necessary to revisit the objectives of this unit plan.
Give the students multiple tools for creating patterns, such as models of fruits, vegetables, or animals; geometry shapes; stickers; stamps; ribbon; and colored paper.
Ask the students to select a tool and create a repeating pattern. Instruct them to draw a line under the core element, label the pattern with numbers, and translate the pattern using a different tool.
When they have finished, invite the students to present their various representations to the class and explain what they thought before they created the pattern.
Encourage students to share challenges they encountered. If appropriate, have them write about their pattern.
Post students' work samples from this and other lessons in the classroom or on a bulletin board in the hall. Review each sample and make notes about the learning objectives that the students clearly understand as well as notes about the knowledge and skills that need more practice.
Keep your notes for future reference and to share with students, their parents, and others as appropriate.
Revisit repeating patterns as they naturally occur in the course of daily instruction to reaffirm the fact that patterns define order in the world.
For example, you might note the arrangement of petals on a flower, leaves on a stem, or colors and patterns in floor tiles.
