Minds On

Making predictions

Consider this pencil and eraser pattern: tall pencil, short pencil, short pencil, short eraser.

one tall pencil, two short pencils, and one long eraser.

Make three predictions given the pattern of pencils and eraser:

  1. What size will the next pencil be?
  2. What object will be the 8th in the pattern?
  3. What object will be 10th in the pattern?

Record your predictions in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Reflection:

What helps you make your predictions?

How will you know if your predictions are correct?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Action

What is a rule?

What are the rules.

A pattern rule describes how a pattern repeats, shrinks, or grows.

What could be the pattern rule in the pencils and eraser pattern in Minds On?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Consider these questions:

  • What pattern do you recognize with the sizes?
  • What pattern do you recognize with the pencils and eraser?

Practice

Now, let’s practice. Extend the following patterns in the chart by making predictions and identifying the pattern rule.

Complete Predicting Patterns Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You can also use another method of your choice.

After completing the chart, you will compare your responses to the answers following the table. Comparing will be the last step!

Predicting Patterns Chart
Pattern Next term and rule
Pattern: pig, cow, cow, pig, question mark What is the next term in the pattern?



What is the pattern rule?
Pattern: square, circle, triangle, square, circle, question mark What is the next term in the pattern?



What is the pattern rule?
Arrow pattern: left, left, right, right, up, up, down, question mark What is the next term in the pattern?



What is the pattern rule?
7, 6, 5, 4, 3, ? What is the next term in the pattern?



What is the pattern rule?
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, ? What is the next term in the pattern?



What is the pattern rule?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Predicting Patterns Chart. 

Activity (Open PDF in a new window)

Press ‘Answer’ to compare your responses for the chart.

Pattern 1 - Animals:

  • The pattern is pig, cow, cow, pig, cow.
  • The pattern rule is pig, cow, cow.

Pattern 2 - Shapes:

  • The pattern is square, circle, triangle, square, circle, triangle.
  • The pattern rule is square, circle, triangle.

Pattern 3 - Orientation of Arrows:

  • The pattern of the arrows is left, left, right, right, up, up, down, down.
  • The pattern rule is 2 left arrows, 2 right arrows, 2 up arrows, 2 down arrows.

Pattern 4 - Numbers:

  • The pattern is 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
  • The pattern rule is start at 7 and subtract 1 each time.

Pattern 5 - Numbers:

  • The pattern is 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13.
  • The pattern rule is start at 3 and add 2 each time.

Consolidation

Your way out

Create two patterns of your own. Your patterns must have a pattern rule! You may use anything you have at home or the following interactive pattern creator.

Pattern Creator

Think about your learning

Take a few minutes to reflect on what you have learned from this lesson:

  • What is important to remember when creating a pattern?
  • Why might it be important to have a pattern rule?
  • Why is it good to make predictions?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity?  Which of the next 4 sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.