Students use logical thinking to create, identify, extend, and translate patterns. They make patterns with numbers and shapes and explore patterns in a variety of mathematical contexts. These lessons give students an opportunity to create and analyze numeric and geometric patterns. Particular emphasis will be placed on growing patterns.
A pattern core is the unit in a pattern that repeats, and when you are presenting a pattern at least two repetitions of the core must be shown. Since growing patterns "grow" by a rule and are typically more difficult to solve than simple repeating patterns, the unit begins with the easier pattern type.
Math Content
Mathematics has been called the science of patterns. In a pattern, repetition occurs in predictable ways. Although patterns can be found at the most advanced levels of mathematics, even young students can begin to explore patterns. Patterns are fundamental to understanding place value, multiplication, functions, and many other mathematical topics. This unit engages students in a motivating topic and offers rich opportunities for communication, problem solving, representation, and reasoning.
Individual Lessons
Lesson 1 - What’s Next?
Students begin their study of growing patterns by making linear patterns with pattern block shapes using several pattern cores. They extend a partner’s pattern and find the missing element in a pattern.
Lesson 2 - Patterns on Charts
Students find, record, and analyze patterns on hundred and multiplication charts. They also use an online calculator to generate patterns and then record the patterns on a chart.
Lesson 3 - Growing Patterns
Students use numbers to make growing patterns. They create, analyze, and describe growing patterns and then record them. They also analyze a special growing pattern called Pascal’s triangle.
Lesson 4 - Exploring Other Number Patterns
Students analyze numeric patterns, including Fibonacci numbers. They also
describe numeric patterns and then record them in table form.
Lesson 5 - Looking Back and Moving Forward
In this final lesson of the Unit, students use logical thinking to create, identify, extend, and translate patterns. They make patterns with numbers and shapes and explore patterns in a variety of mathematical contexts.
