Browse lesson plans

"Chips" ahoy!

This lesson will help children recognize, continue, and create number patterns, as well as find the rules for the patterns. The activities progress from concrete to semi-concrete to abstract.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)

By Terri Downing.

Crossed up hundreds board

Students will experience patterns and problem solving on the Hundreds Board.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

By Karen Bartlett.

Dinosaur math

The children will be involved in several different activities (graphing, sorting and classifying, patterning) rotating to each station during the lesson.

Format: lesson plan (grade K Mathematics)

By RobinC Adams.

Exploring patterns you can feel and hear

The following lesson will enable students to develop tactile and auditory patterns. As students observe, analyze, and make predictions about patterns they will enhance their problem-solving and reasoning skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 Mathematics)

By Carlene M. White.

Finding patterns using fractals

This lesson will introduce students to patterns in fractals using resources of Shodor Education Foundation, Inc. Permission has been granted for the use of the materials as part of the workshop Interactivate Your Bored Math Students.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Mathematics)

By Wendy Korbusieski.

French fries up and down

The students will get hands-on practice working with patterns and translating them to numerical sequences. This lesson reaches visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners all at the same time.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)

By Annie Nesbitt.

Is it a duck? Is it a chick?

Students will compare and contrast the characteristics of a chick and a duckling by using a Venn Diagram.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

By Debbie Beeson.

Patterns galore!

Students will create patterns using Kidspiration software.

Format: lesson plan (grade Computer/Technology Skills and Mathematics)

By Michele Tipton.

Working with patterns

Students use their knowledge of patterns to discover the remaining members of an established pattern as set forth in the Shodor activity called "Pattern Generator." Permission has been granted for the use of the Shodor materials as part of the workshop- "Interactivate Your Bored Math Students" by Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Mathematics)

Resources on the web

Chairs around the table

In this lesson, students investigate the number of chairs that can be placed around an arrangement of square tables. Students explore three different linear patterns, which allow students to determine a solution in multiple ways and develop an intuitive... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Eating patterns

In this lesson, the second of a six-part unit from Illuminations titled “Food Pyramid Power,” students sort pictures of food and create patterns. They also analyze a partner's patterns and extend those patterns. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Healthful Living and Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Exploring other number patterns

In this lesson, the seventh of a nine-part unit from Illuminations titled “Powerful Patterns,” students make and extend patterns with numbers in a variety of mathematical contexts. They also explore functions at an intuitive level. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Finding addition patterns

In this lesson, one of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Let's Learn Those Facts,” a game encourages students to find the sums of two one-digit numbers. Students explore commutativity and examine addition patterns. Then they record... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Growing patterns

In this lesson, the third of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Patterns That Grow,” students use numbers to make growing patterns. They create, analyze, and describe growing patterns and then record them. They also analyze a special... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Learning about number relationships and properties of numbers using calculators and hundred boards

Building on students' intuitive understandings of patterns and number relationships, teachers can further the development of number concepts and logical reasoning as described in the Number and Operations and Reasoning and Proof Standards. In this two-part... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Looking for patterns

Students skip count and examine multiplication patterns, while exploring commutativity in this lesson. Illuminations provides charts, a handout, and songs for skip counting multiplication tables. By asking students a series of guiding questions, the teacher... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Looking for patterns

In this lesson, the teacher guides students through a discovery of geometry. Students explore Euler's Theorem, a way of calculating the number of faces, edges, and vertices of geometric solids. Students will: Identify, compare, and analyze... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan

Provided by: Illuminations

More patterns with products

After using an interactive Web site to find patterns in the multiplication tables, the students practice multiplication facts and record their current level of mastery of the multiplication facts on their personal multiplication chart. Illuminations provides... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Multiple patterns

In this lesson, the sixth of a nine-part unit from Illuminations titled “Powerful Patterns,” students explore patterns that involve doubling. They use objects and numbers in their exploration and record them using a table. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations

Patterns that grow: Looking back and moving forward

In this lesson, the fourth of a five-part unit from Illuminations titled “Patterns That Grow,” students use logical thinking to create, identify, extend, and translate patterns. They make patterns with numbers and shapes and then explore patterns... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 5 Mathematics)

Provided by: Illuminations