My Favourite Pattern Math Lesson!

Inside: Making math patterns with foam stickers. Includes a printable.

Every single year I do this math lesson because it's FUN, it looks great, and the kids get some excellent pattern practice.

Some years I go with a Halloween theme but this year I went with autumn.

I always use a bucket of foam stickers from Michaels. I wait until early October to buy them because they always seem to be 40% off at that point.
 

We work with patterns off and on for a couple of weeks before doing this activity.

HERE'S HOW WE DID IT:

 

First off, I sorted the stickers and put them in piles. The kids chose 2 or 3 different kinds of stickers and went back to their desks to make their patterns. 

 

I don't let them use AB (too easy for Grade 1) but pretty much anything else goes, EXCEPT for ABBCDEFFG. You get the idea. There's always one kid who wants to make the longest pattern but I say no because they have to repeat it at least once and the paper backing is only so wide:)

Once they've made their repeating pattern and I've checked it, I give them a long strip of paper. They build it again on their paper and then peel off the backing and stick it to the paper.

There are usually 3 or 4 kids who need help with the pattern. They manage the "core", it's just that darn repeating part that gets confusing  :)

After the pattern is in place they fill in the accompanying piece of paper with their name and the pattern name.

The last step is to colour the pumpkin border using the EXACT SAME pattern (that was also hard for a few kids, but excellent practice)!

You can CLICK HERE for a copy of the pumpkin pattern sheet that goes along with it.