Monday, March 5, 2007

The Big Idea

Logical patterns exist and are a regular occurence in mathematics. They can be recognized, extended, or generalized. The same pattern can be found in many different forms. Patterns are found in physical and geometric situations as well as in numbers (Elementary and Middle School Mathematics, Canadian Edition).

We feel that working with patterns supports children in seeing relationships, finding connections, and making generalizations and predictions. Today's math teachers are expected to encourage children to become problem solvers and abstract thinkers. Understanding and working with patterns promotes this type of mathematical thinking. Recognizing patterns and predicting what comes next are crucial problem solving skills that children must develop early if they are to succeed.

Children are exposed to patterns in their everyday lives. They can already recognize many patterns in their lives, such as those in daily routines, getting dressed, setting the table, and preparing simple foods. They build on this knowledge to create their own patterns using various materials around the house such as buttons, rocks, leaves, or blocks. When children are exposed to books, they can often see the pattern of the words even before they can actually read them. For example, the pattern of three's is prevalent in many folktales such as "The Three Little Pigs", "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Children are also able to join in with songs, rhythms and chants such as "Ring Around the Rosie."

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