Visual Math Patterns Worksheets
Until this time students have explored repeated sequences and patterns in the form of digits or maybe colored geometric shapes. We now help them start to make sense of their everyday world with math. We begin to explore how we can order data in the form of objects and pictures. The best way to approach this is in what I refer to as crawl-walk-run. Start them off with simple 1-2-1 sequences and then advance very slowly until they master the basics. Once you see them comfortable in this environment, turn the heat up a little bit and repeat this strategy until you have them where you want them. This series of worksheets and lessons will introduce students to visual patterns for the first time.
Aligned Standard: 4.OA.C.5
- Standard Visual Patterns Step-by-step Lesson- We start out with a simple 1-2-3.
- Visual Growing Patterns Lesson - This is where students get just a little confused.
- Growing Patterns Practice Sheet - Let's get a bunch of repetitions for the kids.
- Cut and Paste Patterns #1 Worksheet - You will need some scissors and glue sticks for the kids.
- Answer Keys - These are for all the unlocked materials above.
Growing Patterns Homework Sheets
Each part or parts of each sequence of the pattern gets larger. Students need to figure out exactly what does it.
- Homework 1 - Draw to finish the arrangement of how things should be.
- Homework 2 - The easiest way to break down picture sequences is to assign a number value to each picture.
- Homework 3 - You can choose any number for any image.
Practice Worksheets
Cut these pieces out and tell us where they go. These sheets are made to help students build confidence.
- Practice 2 - Cut and paste to finish the proper arrangement.
- Practice 3 - Growing patterns add an element in each sequence of the pattern.
Math Skill Quizzes
The first one is just on growing patterns. The second and third are on growing and repeating.
- Quiz 1 - We now look at each sequence of the arrangement and determine what is growing.
- Quiz 2 - Draw the next picture in the sequence that you are presented with.
- Quiz 3 - We can see in each sequence of the sequence an additional circle is added.
What are Growing Patterns?
Before we dive right into our topic, we need to first understand what patterns are. A pattern is a regularity in a design that can include colors, letters of the alphabet, numbers, or just about any symbol for that matter. It is a form of regularity where the order does not matter, and it is not defined by a fixed mathematical model. They are a set arrangement of something the repeats in a predictable manner. Some of them are easy to spot, and others can be complex and even hidden in plain sight.
One of the many forms of patterns is the growing pattern. When the numbers are increasing in a series or set, we term it as a growing pattern. They are always following specific rules while increasing. The two crucial elements of these types of sequences are the terms and the rule that is being followed or applied throughout. A term in a growing pattern is each growing step in the design. The rule is the specific or fixed order with which each number is increasing. When the terms are increasing with a constant difference, then we can term the design as a linear growing pattern.
Why is This an Important Math Skill?
If you look through most of the early childhood mathematics curriculum in most developed countries, you will quickly see that most of themes of the topics are focused on structure and patterns. That is because in order to make sense of data that most jobs tackle require these skills. The most prized careers in the real world involve tackling data whether in a research or practitioner capacity. To make good decisions whether it be in a business board room, or a medical operation table are centered on interpreting and understanding data. In order to make sense of data we need to be able to spot patterns and understand how data sets take shape.
In the computer sciences this is the fundamental concept of the field. Being able to spot patterns in coding and infrastructure with a high level of consistency are what separates the good programmer or data scientist from the spectacular. Matching streams of information is the core skill in this industry.