Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade R

Patterns: simple repeating patterns with objects – Week 7 focus

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Subject: Mathematics

Class: Grade R

Term: 1st Term

Week: 7

Theme: General lesson support

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade R learners to the fundamental concept of patterns using concrete objects. A pattern is a sequence that repeats in a logical, predictable way. Understanding patterns is a foundational skill in mathematics, helping learners to make predictions, understand order, and develop logical reasoning. In the South African context, patterns are an integral part of our daily lives, visible in the vibrant designs of Ndebele houses, the intricate beadwork of Zulu and Xhosa cultures, the rhythms of our music and dance, and the cycles of nature. By connecting learning to these familiar contexts, we make mathematics meaningful and accessible.

Lesson notes

What is a Pattern? A pattern is something that happens over and over again in exactly the same way. It has a rule that we can follow. For young learners, we can describe it as a 'secret code' that repeats. The part of the pattern that repeats is called the core of the pattern. Types of Simple Repeating Patterns We will focus on patterns made with physical objects. These patterns are defined by the sequence of different objects. The AB Pattern This is the simplest type of pattern. It uses two different things that alternate one after the other. The 'core' of this pattern is 'AB'.

Example with objects: Imagine you have red bottle tops and blue bottle tops.

The pattern is: Red Top, Blue Top, Red Top, Blue Top, ...

The core that repeats is: Red Top, Blue Top. To continue the pattern, you would always place a Red Top after a Blue Top, and a Blue Top after a Red Top.