Materials
red, yellow, and blue cut-out paper triangles
Instructions
1. Display the triangles and ask the children to name the shapes and colors.
2. Demonstrate an ABAB pattern with the red and yellow triangles, and challenge
the children to continue the pattern.
3. Beside the ABAB pattern, begin an AABB pattern with the red and blue
triangles, and challenge the children to continue this pattern at the same time.
4. After the children have continued the first two patterns for some time, begin
an ABCABC pattern, using all three colors. Challenge the children to continue
that pattern.
5. Create different patterns for the children to continue, and then have them
design their own patterns.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip S
l Store the paper triangles in zipper-closure bags in the Math Station, and
encourage the children to create patterns during center time.
l For an advanced challenge, suggest that the children count the number of
triangles in each pattern, as well as the number of ABAB, AABB, and ABCABC
clusters in each pattern.
S o n G
Do You Know What Has Three Sides? by Laura Wynkoop
(Tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb")
Do you know what has three sides,
Has three sides, has three sides?
Do you know what has three sides?
A triangle, that's what!
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
l Given the paper triangles, can each child name the shape he sees?
l Display ABAB, AABB, and ABCABC patterns. Can the child identify and
continue the patterns?
