Not only is pattern recognition an essential skill for young children to develop, it's also a lot of fun to teach! Over the course of this lesson, class members participate in shared readings, perform small group activities, and complete independent practice worksheets as they learn to identify, complete, and create different kinds of patterns.

Concepts

patterns, color patterns, colors

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Perform this lesson near the beginning of school, encouraging children throughout the year to search for patterns both inside and outside of the classroom
• Supplement other pattern-related activities into the lesson using manipulatives like Unifix® cubes and pattern blocks
• Differentiate the lesson for tactile learners by allowing them to create patterns with objects that have different textures (e.g. smooth, rough, soft, etc.)

Classroom Considerations

• Copies of the books Pattern Bugs by Trudy Harris, and The M&M's Brand Color Pattern Book by Barbara Barbieri McGrath are required for this lesson and may be found at your school or local public library

Pros

• Lesson uses fun children's books to introduce the concept of patterns
• Clear learning objectives are provided based on Bloom's Taxonomy
• Includes cut-and-paste and coloring activities that engage children in learning about patterns

Cons

• None