Depth and Complexity: Patterns

Recognizing and continuing patterns is an important skill for first graders that is taken to another level in GATE.  The depth and complexity icon for patterns looks like a letter "Z" with dots- the idea is that you can continue the pattern of the icon.  The students are able to very easily recognize patterns such as "star, circle, triangle, star, circle, triangle..." or "odd, even, odd, even..." but the higher level thinking comes in getting them to recognize patterns in literature, science, and even daily life.  The purpose of recognizing patterns is to use that information to make predictions.  Predictions are not just random guesses.  Sometimes GATE students make comments like "I just know it" but we are working on being able to recognize how they know what they "just know."  Patterns are a big piece of our focus on explaining thinking and supporting ideas with evidence.

This week we explored patterns by brainstorming the different patterns in our lives.  Then, we categorized those into patterns that repeat daily, weekly, or yearly.  We highlighted key words like "every Monday" "same" and "always."  The scholars continued to add to our patterns tree map as a "May Do" activity throughout the week.  Here are some of our examples:

I encourage the scholars to bring in examples they find of the things we discuss in class.  This week Tyler brought in the book "Room on the Broom" because of the many patterns he found in the book.  I read it aloud and the students really enjoyed the story!  Here is a link to the story on YouTube.  Feel free to share the video with your child and ask them to explain some of the patterns in the story:  Room on the Broom