Growing Patterns: Nocturnal Animal Theme
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 8
Coordinating Activities
Growing Patterns: Nocturnal Animal Theme
- 6 pages of nocturnal animal picture cards, 20 cards per page, with bats, skunks and more
Kids lay out the animal cards to build growing patterns, like bat, skunk, bat, skunk, skunk, bat, skunk, skunk, skunk.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Laminator
- Paper cutter or scissors
Standards for Growing Patterns
These cards support early math standards connected to growing patterns and counting.
Common Core State Standards
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7: Look for and make use of structure. Kids find the part of the pattern that repeats and use it to decide what comes next.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- PK4.V.E.3: Child recognizes, duplicates, extends and creates patterns. Kids extend each growing pattern.
Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning
- 1.PFA.1.a: Identify and describe repeating and increasing patterns. Kids describe how each pattern grows.
- 1.PFA.1.b: Analyze a repeating or increasing pattern and generalize the change to extend the pattern using objects, colors, movements, pictures or geometric figures. Kids decide what comes next.
Growing Patterns: Nocturnal Animal Theme gives kindergarten and first grade kids hands-on practice with patterns that grow.
Kids use the animal cards to build patterns that grow, adding one more animal each time the pattern repeats. Then they tell what comes next.
Start by building a growing pattern for kids to finish, then have them make their own. Growing patterns connect patterns and counting: kids see that each step adds one more.
How to Use Growing Patterns: Nocturnal Animal Theme
- Print, laminate and cut apart the cards.
- Build the start of a growing pattern with the cards.
- Kids say the pattern and count how it grows.
- Kids add the next part of the pattern.
- Kids build their own growing pattern for a friend.
Small Group: Build each step with counters.
Science Tie-In: Use the cards in a nocturnal animal unit.
Easy Ways to Differentiate These Pattern Activities
Every group has a mix of pattern and fine motor skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Start with a repeating AB pattern.
- Use two kinds of animals.
- Count each step together.
- Line up the cards on a mat.
For On-Level Practice:
- Finish each growing pattern.
- Tell how it grows.
- Draw the next step.
- Check with a partner.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Make a pattern that grows by 2.
- Predict step 10.
- Write the numbers for each step.
- Make your own growing pattern.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Say each pattern together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Use real objects in the same colors.
- Point to each piece as you say the pattern.
Growing Patterns: Nocturnal Animal Theme Are Perfect For:
- Kindergarten
- First grade
- Nocturnal animal themes
- Math centers
- Small-group instruction
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
