Activities to Teach Students to Find the Next Row in a Growing Pattern
![](https://dev.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DSC_9981-660x400.jpg)
Patterns are an important aspect of mathematics that are applicable in many real-life scenarios. The ability to find the next term in a pattern is an essential skill that students learn in their early years of schooling. However, teaching students to find the next row in a growing pattern can be a challenging task for teachers. This article explores some activities that teachers can use to teach students to find the next row in growing patterns.
1. Visual analogies
A visual analogy is a great way to help students understand the concept of growing patterns. To try this activity, the teacher can draw several shapes, each different from the next, on the board or on paper. Next, they can ask the students to identify the pattern and predict what will come next. One example could be to draw triangles of various sizes – starting from a small triangle and gradually drawing larger triangles. Students can be asked to predict what the next triangle will look like, using the pattern they observed from the previous drawings.
2. Hands-on activities
Hands-on activities such as using manipulatives are a fun way to engage students and help them understand growing patterns. Students can use materials such as numbered tiles, connecting blocks, counters, or even paper and pen. The teacher can guide the students by creating a simple pattern using a specific number of blocks or tiles, and students are encouraged to continue the pattern by adding blocks or tiles to each row.
3. Puzzles
Puzzles are a great way of making learning fun, and it has also been proven to improve cognitive and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, or word search puzzles to help students identify growing patterns. For instance, teachers can use jigsaw puzzles with geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, or squares, and ask students to assemble the pieces while identifying the growing pattern.
4. Worksheets and quizzes
Worksheets and quizzes are an excellent way for teachers to assess students’ knowledge of finding the next row in a growing pattern. Teachers can create worksheets or quizzes with questions that require students to observe a pattern and identify the next row. It is essential to note that worksheets and quizzes should be age-appropriate, challenging, and interesting to the students.
5. Interactive games
Interactive games are an effective way to engage students and make the learning process interactive. Games can be computer-based, board-games, or even physical games. Teachers can use games such as Snakes and Ladders or block-building games to help students identify growing patterns. For example, teachers can use a computer game with shapes where the user has to identify the growing pattern and select the next shape in the sequence.
In conclusion, finding the next row in a growing pattern is an important skill that students must learn at an early stage of their education. Teachers can use different activities such as visual analogies, hands-on activities, puzzles, worksheets and quizzes, and interactive games to make the learning process fun and engaging. These activities not only make learning fun, but they also help the students develop their cognitive, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.