In this activity children will complete a pattern using pictures and then generate their own pattern to show their understanding of the repetitive nature of patterns.
WHAT YOU NEED
WHAT TO DO
- Pass out the Circus Time: cutouts sheet and tell children to put a blue crayon on their desk. Have children cut out the balls. If they are finished cutting before the rest of the class, they can use the blue crayon to color the star on all three of the balls (optional).
- Next, pass out the Circus Time activity sheet. Direct children's attention to the seal, who appears to be very talented because she can balance quite a few balls on her nose. Not only that, but she likes to balance them in a pattern. Have children glue a striped ball on her nose, and then a ball with a star on top of that. Work with the children and guide them to glue the next two balls (striped, then ball with star). Have students work on their own to glue the next two balls and continue the seal's pattern.
- Now turn children's attention back to the cutouts sheet. They are to cut out the bowling pins that the elephant is preparing to juggle. If they finish cutting early, they can use a green crayon to color the three white pins.
- Explain that the elephant sets up his bowling pins the same way each time he juggles. Guide children to glue a black pin, a black pin, and a white pin. Then have them repeat and glue the pattern one more time. Children are to complete the last three spaces of the pattern on their own.
- Return children's attention to the cutouts sheet. Have the children use a red crayon to color the four spotted dogs. Tell children they are going to create their own pattern of dogs along the ramp on the circus page. Point out that not all the dogs will be used.
TEACHING OPTIONS
After children have completed the worksheet, you may wish to use another Circus Time activity sheet without the cutouts and have children create their own patterns by just coloring in the dotted areas.