Even and Odd Turkey Fun!

We were working on even and odd patterns when skip counting by 2's last week using "start" numbers other than 1 (for odd) and 2 (for even.) After some practice using a 30 chart coloring even and odd patterns and playing "race to 30" and lots of practice identifying an even or odd pattern beginning at any given number, I cut up a 30 chart and gave a number 3 - 22 to each student. I chose the range 3 - 22 because I didn't want to start on 1 or 2 and by ending at 22 it left enough numbers to continue the pattern to 30 without going over. We began by drawing the turkey body, legs, head, face and wings together. Then I passed out the numbers to glue in the first feather and the students continued the pattern writing one number on the tip of each feather in pencil. I told them to make it pretty large. They identified the pattern and wrote "even turkey" or "odd turkey" in the center of the body. The students then traced the numbers and letters in black marker and colored last. I am going to laminate them, make a little flap to go over the turkey tummies to cover the words, and use as a review book and a book in my math book math station for review. This way the kids can look at the pattern, identify as an even or odd pattern and then self-check.

Additive Pattern Designs in Native American Art

Increasing and decreasing additive patterns... depending on which way you turn the strip. I think I have most of these turned around backwards because I honestly threw them on the floor really quick. We used these for our Native American headbands at our Thanksgiving feast as well. :)

Pattern Block Turkeys - 2011!

Color Tiles, Craft Sticks and Patterns

To practice patterns, I like to use color tiles and craft sticks. The students separate each repeating section using a craft stick. I like to have them repeat the core 3 times. This way the pattern has time to develop but doesn't go on forever! In these patterns the students each repeated the pattern twice then rotated to the next chair and repeated their neighbor's pattern the third time. I like to have the students think beyond just color patterns into the positions of the blocks as well. One student even chose to do two patterns at once. After the students add the 3rd repetition, they remove it before rotating around to the next person's desk. We rotate anywhere between 10 to 15 times giving the students lots of practice on a different child created pattern each time. Photos of these patterns will be printed and placed in the pattern work station for the kids to practice again and again. The relevance to their own creations captures their attention and the rigor involved in extending some of their patterns challenges their minds. A great combination! :)

As part of our calendar time for December, we made Christmas Countdown Chains (an oldie but a goodie!) The kids took theirs home to hang on their closet doors, but we have one at school hanging by our calendar and will take one loop off each day until break.

For a little added fun to practice skip counting, we read Hands Down by Michael Dahl and labeled the reindeer antlers in a skip counting by 5's pattern, 0 - 95. I always begin with zero to give the kids a frame of reference for the beginning of every skip counting pattern.