Creating Patterns

Welcome to the week of playful math in PP2 D, with Learning through play. We have used the classroom as an extensible way of learning with creative curriculum designed and grounded in a constructivist learning model. This session was focused on fun, active ways to learn about patterns, using everyday materials. 
The students used different types of materials to create various patterns. By providing basic resources such as paint,blocks, beads, dough, and other modeling materials, students were encouraged to use their imaginative and creative skills. These activities were both child centered and child directed. Once they established that patterns aren't just repetitive color combinations, even a slightly more complex pattern was no issues for them to make. Through the use of other construction equipment such as blocks and beads, students experimented with different ways of joining. Students had the opportunity to work with clay, to compare the texture with play dough and how it can be manipulated. 
These activities helped students to develop math skills. Students learnt to evaluate their own models and develop their ideas, making changes to them such as making their structures stronger.  With our support they were encouraged to talk about their actions and use descriptive vocabulary to develop their speaking and listening skills.