Can you solve the pattern: 🔢✔️❗️🔢✔️_____

This week in math class we started patterns and algebra. Growing up in elementary and middle school I enjoyed learning about patterns and algebra, I became comfortable with the units and understood them better, as opposed to learning about fractions where I only started grasping fractions and problem solving with fractions.  However this week was a good lesson involving manipulatives, interactive minds on activity, inspirational quotes and good mini-lesson presentations.

Our opening activity got us involved off the bat working with our group members to find the patterns.

This opening activity was wide based in the sense that it gave each student the opportunity to start with any pattern they wanted to, and also find the pattern with the method they preferred (ie. T-table, graph, equation, or block pictures). They could start with the equation and find the picture and graph that match it or start with the picture blocks. It also builds a growth mindset for some students giving them the option to start with something they may not be familiar with or strong with and get support from their group members.  This activity brought forth the learning skills of working collaboratively in a group and possibly individually, had a wide based to begin with and can introduce patterns in a variety of ways. When we had the chance to add the pattern blocks into the activity it allowed us to visualize the equation with the blocks; what the pattern was grouped by and the ‘extra’ value.

I personally solved the patterns by starting with the equation and finding the rest of the matching cards that way. I thought of this particular activity similar to sports, the equation was the rule I have to follow in order to continue finding the remainder of the pattern. The equation was the starting foundation to discover the graph that represents the equation and then the pattern blocks. I really enjoyed this particular opening activity it will definitely be a resource I will add to my toolbox of teaching resources.

This week’s reading material was very helpful and provides us teacher candidates with multiple resources in teaching patterns and how to find similarities between patterns, understanding a starting equation what a pattern is grouped by and the extra that is added onto that creates the patterns. It also laid out common errors and misconceptions of patterns and suggested strategies for us educators to help guide our students.

The quote that Patricia showed us this week from Twitter by user @Natalie Palombi is a great quote! This was my first time reading this quote and I found it to be very inspirational for students and one that can definitely be posted in the classroom. I think it is important to have students understand that making mistakes only builds us and helps us to improve for the next time we are faced with a similar situation. When we make mistakes it is important for us to learn how we can correct our mistakes, gives us the opportunity to develop an open mindset, to discover new ways to solve problems and work with our peers to share our ideas and thoughts behind problem solving.

This week was loaded with lots of presentations each having great themes and activities to go with them. Henna’s Halloween themed activity was a fun activity that got us figuring out the pattern we had and find the matching solution or riddle for the pattern. We got to work in a group for time but I think you could also have students work independently and then share their solutions and how the steps they took to solve the patterns. Kevin’s worksheets had us working with different patterns and got us thinking of the rule that goes with each pattern and trying to find that the rules. Some questions also had to explain the patterns in words not just with numbers. Kate’s baseball themed activity and Jessica’s grocery shopping spree got us working collaboratively in groups and made discovering patterns fun and interactive.