This lesson plan will help to a develop basic knowledge of patterns and gain experience with repetition.

Grade Levels

Grades 3 through 8.

Time Required

One class period (45 - 60 minutes a period)

Lesson Objectives

To develop basic knowledge of pattern and repetition.

Procedure

A pattern is a series of repeated design units (motifs) used to decorate a surface. The motifs can be repeated in a regular or irregular way over the surface to be decorated.

1. Briefly discuss the meaning of "pattern" and "repetition."
2. Distribute materials and tools.
3. Students measure and cut six 3" squares from one of the sheets of construction paper. (Tip: Teacher may precut the 3" squares.)
4. Fold one of the 3" squares and draw a simple design from the fold.
5. Cut out the design from the fold leaving a hole in the square which is the same shape as the cut-out part.
6. Using the first square, with cut-out shape as a pattern, trace the design and cut out the shapes from the remaining five squares.
7. Begin by placing one of the cut-out squares in one corner of the second sheet of construction paper. DO NOT GLUE YET.
8. Arrange the remaining cut-out squares on the paper in a checker board style.
9. When the position of each square is determined, begin gluing them in place.
10. In the blank spaces, glue the shapes that were cut from the squares. For interest, turn them in an opposite direction from the cut-out shapes in the squares.

Extended Lesson

Finished projects can be displayed individually or assembled into an attractive and interesting ensemble.

This project can be expanded to challenge the creativity of students by using more shapes and colors to form a regular pattern that will differ from the standard "checker board" style design.