Pattern Explorers!

Math Grades 1st Grade 5:22 Video
Print Lesson Plan Watch Video

Lesson Description

Learn about patterns! We'll discover what patterns are, how to make them, and how to figure out what comes next in a pattern using shapes, colors, and sounds.

Video Resource

BrainPopJr Patterns

Shari Ainsworth

Duration: 5:22
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • What is a pattern: Something that repeats.
  • Identifying the repeating unit in a pattern.
  • Predicting what comes next in a pattern.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define a pattern.
  • Students will be able to identify the repeating unit in a pattern.
  • Students will be able to predict the next element in a pattern.
  • Students will be able to create their own patterns using colors, shapes, or sounds.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what a pattern is. Show them everyday examples of patterns (e.g., stripes on a shirt, tiles on the floor). Explain that a pattern is something that repeats over and over again.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Watch the BrainPopJr Patterns video. Encourage students to pay attention to how the characters define patterns and create them.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, discuss what the students learned. Ask them to provide examples of patterns they saw in the video.
  • Pattern Creation Activity (15 mins)
    Provide students with various materials (colored pencils, shape cutouts, blocks, etc.). Have them create their own patterns. Encourage them to use different colors, shapes, and sizes. Have students share their patterns with the class.
  • Pattern Prediction Game (10 mins)
    Draw simple patterns on the board or use flashcards. Ask students to predict what comes next in each pattern. Start with simple ABAB patterns and gradually increase the complexity (e.g., ABCABC, AABBAABB).

Interactive Exercises

  • Color Pattern Activity
    Provide students with colored beads or blocks. Create a simple color pattern (e.g., red, blue, red, blue). Ask them to continue the pattern. Gradually increase the complexity of the pattern.
  • Shape Pattern Worksheet
    Provide students with a worksheet featuring incomplete shape patterns. Have them draw the missing shapes to complete the pattern.

Discussion Questions

  • What is your favorite pattern?
  • Where have you seen patterns in your life?
  • Can you think of a pattern that uses sounds or actions?

Skills Developed

  • Pattern Recognition
  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Creative Thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a pattern?

Correct Answer: Something that repeats

Question 2:

What comes after blue in this pattern: red, blue, red, _____?

Correct Answer: Red

Question 3:

Which shape comes next: circle, square, circle, square, ______?

Correct Answer: Circle

Question 4:

What part of the pattern repeats?

Correct Answer: The unit

Question 5:

If the pattern is clap, stomp, clap, stomp, what comes next?

Correct Answer: Clap

Question 6:

Which is NOT a pattern?

Correct Answer: Dog, Cat, Bird

Question 7:

I made a pattern using big and small circles. What could my pattern be?

Correct Answer: Big, Small, Big, Small

Question 8:

I hear a sound pattern: beep, boop, beep, boop. What will I hear next?

Correct Answer: Beep

Question 9:

What helps you figure out a pattern?

Correct Answer: Looking for what repeats

Question 10:

Seasons follow a pattern. What season comes after Summer?

Correct Answer: Fall

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A ________ is something that repeats over and over again.

Correct Answer: pattern

Question 2:

The part of the pattern that repeats is called the ________.

Correct Answer: unit

Question 3:

If the pattern is star, moon, star, moon, the next shape is a ________.

Correct Answer: star

Question 4:

Red, blue, ________, red, blue, green. What color is missing?

Correct Answer: green

Question 5:

Patterns can use colors, ________, and sizes.

Correct Answer: shapes

Question 6:

You can ________ what comes next in a pattern.

Correct Answer: predict

Question 7:

Winter, Spring, ________, Fall is a pattern of seasons.

Correct Answer: Summer

Question 8:

If you spin and then hop twice, what do you do after you ________ twice?

Correct Answer: hop

Question 9:

Writing down or drawing ________ helps you figure out a pattern.

Correct Answer: pictures

Question 10:

Patterns can help us make ________ about what might happen in the future.

Correct Answer: predictions

Educational Standards

CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.A.1:Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. CCSS.Math.Content.1.G.A.1:Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color, orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining attributes. CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.C.5:Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2).

Teaching Materials

Download ready-to-use materials for this lesson:

Student Worksheet Classroom Slides Assessment Quiz Export to Google Docs
Add to Google Classroom

User Actions

Sign in to save this lesson plan to your favorites.

Sign In

Share This Lesson

Related Lesson Plans