Good examples for 2nd grade math lesson on patterns

A-B-C Pattern: Star-Heart-Moon-Star-Heart-Moon-Star (Core unit: Star-Heart-Moon)

Lesson Goal: Students identify the unit, predict the next three elements, and then create their own pattern using the same rule (e.g., creating a Yellow-Green-Green pattern after analyzing an A-B-B rule).

2. Movement Patterns

Activity: Gets kids moving and reinforces the pattern rule kinesthetically.

Examples:

A-B Pattern: Clap-Stomp-Clap-Stomp... (Core unit: Clap-Stomp)

A-A-B Pattern: Jump-Jump-Touch Head-Jump-Jump-Touch Head... (Core unit: Jump-Jump-Touch Head)

Lesson Goal: Identifying the sequence of actions and continuing the pattern without verbal prompts.

🌱 Growing Patterns (Advanced Skill)

The focus shifts from repetition to the rule of change (addition).

1. Block Towers/Stairs

Activity: Building visual patterns that increase by a constant amount.

Examples:

Add 1: Tower of 2 blocks, Tower of 3 blocks, Tower of 4 blocks, Tower of 5 blocks. (Rule: Add 1 block each time)

Add 2: Group of 3 dots, Group of 5 dots, Group of 7 dots, Group of 9 dots. (Rule: Add 2 dots each time)

Lesson Goal: Students describe the pattern not as what they see, but as what they do to get the next term ("I add two blocks to the previous tower").

2. Increasing Number Sequences

Activity: Introducing number patterns visually before moving to abstract numbers.

Examples:

Rule: Count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 (Used for skip counting and recognizing multiples).

Rule: Add 10, Subtract 2: 20, 30, 28, 38, 36, 46, 44 (Introduces more complex rules).

Lesson Goal: Students identify the operation (+, -) and the number involved in the growth rule.

Sample Answer

Here are some great examples for a 2nd-grade math lesson on patterns, focusing on different types (repeating, growing, and number) and engaging activities.

🌈 Repeating Patterns (Core Skill)

The focus is identifying the core unit or "rule" that repeats.

1. Color and Shape Trains 🚂

Activity: Use colored blocks, shapes, or linking cubes.

Examples:

A-B Pattern: Red-Blue-Red-Blue-Red-Blue (Core unit: Red-Blue)

A-B-B Pattern: Square-Circle-Circle-Square-Circle-Circle-Square (Core unit: Square-Circle-Circle)