The
focus for our Math Workshops during our later part of the morning was patterns.
Learning to recognize and create
patterns helps cognitive development and is a basic component of mathematical
and organizational thinking. As young children learn to see patterns in their
world, they will be setting the foundation for higher level thinking such as
patterns in numbers, graphs, charts, and so on.
We
first read Henry Pluckrose’s book, Math
Counts, Pattern. This was a great introductory book for the mathematical
concept of patterns. A discussion followed the read aloud and using unifix
cubes, samples of simple AB patterns were created for the Cardinals to see. As they became confident with AB patterns, we then
introduced the AABB pattern.
After
much practice, the Cardinals were divided into three groups. Each group moved from
station to station until all three groups had the opportunity to participate in
each section.
One
station included the unifix cubes. Here, the Cardinals were encouraged to
create their own pattern AND name it
too, e.g., red, yellow, red, yellow.
At
another station, the Cardinals were invited to create and name their own pattern using
foam pieces.
And
lastly, there was a station were the Cardinals were asked to create and name their own
pattern(s) using stamps.
Much
fun was had by all!
