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Description
From snowflakes to butterfly wings, nature's patterns are truly remarkable. This engaging activity takes students outside to recognize, extend and create non-numerical patterns using natural objects they find. Pupils apply reasoning skills to determine repeating elements and understand pattern rules, while using logic to alter patterns by changing a single component. This educational tool offers a unique mathematical learning experience and encourages curiosity and an appreciation for the amazing natural world that lies beyond the classroom doors.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource supports Grade K-3 Mathematics curriculum exploring non-numerical patterns. Learners use natural objects as manipulatives to extend a pattern model and diagram changes. They practice organizing and predicting sequences by playing the "Pattern Logic Game", where each new object is similar but differs from the previous object in a singular aspect. This activity could also be used to create increasing and decreasing patterns and to have students explain their thinking.
Respect for the natural world is emphasized as students learn that objects must be collected with care. This establishes an understanding of environmental impacts which a teacher can use to support discussions surrounding conservation and stewardship. Photographs of student patterns could be used to create a school display that highlights the value of local habitats and describes "Leave No Trace" concepts for human interactions with nature.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situations.
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns: Awareness of patterns supports problem solving in various situation
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The regular change in increasing patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regular increases and decreases in patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Mathematics 2: Patterns & Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Mathematics 3: Patterns and Relations
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Mathematic Behaviours: Overall Expectations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Algebra
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Algebra
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Algebra
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns and Relations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Patterns & Relations
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Kindergarten
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
- Grade 1
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Repeating elements in patterns can be identified
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The regular change in increasing patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Math
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regular increases and decreases in patterns can be identified and used to make generalizations
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (1)
- Appreciating the Natural World
