Lesson Plan: Grade 3 Mathematics Patterns

by

Lesson Plan Title:

Grade 3 Mathematics Lesson Plan: Term 3 – Patterns

Materials Needed:

  • Textbook: “Grade 3 Mathematics CAPS”
  • Pattern blocks or geometric shape cut-outs
  • Worksheets with pattern activities
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Coloured pencils/crayons
  • Interactive smartboard (if available)
  • Maths notebooks

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe patterns using numbers, shapes, and colours.
2. Create and extend simple repeating patterns.
3. Explain the rule behind a pattern sequence.

Vocabulary:

  1. Pattern: A repeated design or recurring sequence.
  2. Sequence: An ordered set of numbers or objects.
  3. Repeat: To do something again in the same way.
  4. Shape: The form or outline of an object.
  5. Colour sequence: A pattern created by repeating colours.

Previous Learning:

In previous lessons, students learned basic shapes and colours, as well as simple addition and subtraction. They practised counting and recognising numerical sequences.

Anticipated Challenges and Solutions:

  • Difficulty in identifying patterns: Pair up students for collaborative work and provide additional examples.
  • Struggling with creating sequences: Use simpler shapes and colour sequences before moving to more complex patterns.
  • Attention and focus: Integrate interactive activities to maintain engagement.

Beginning Activities (4 minutes):

  1. Introduction to Objectives (2 minutes):
  2. Explain the lesson goals and how patterns are everywhere in their environment.
  3. Warm-Up Activity (2 minutes):
  4. Ask students to look around the classroom and identify any patterns they can see (e.g., tiles on the floor, patterns on clothing).

Middle Activities (32 minutes):

  1. Direct Instruction (5 minutes):
  2. Use the whiteboard and pattern blocks to demonstrate simple repeating patterns. For example, show a sequence of alternating coloured shapes (red triangle, blue circle, red triangle, blue circle, etc.).
  3. Guided Practice (10 minutes):
  4. Distribute pattern blocks and worksheets to students. Work through a few examples as a class, asking students to physically create and extend patterns using their blocks.
  5. Independent Practice (15 minutes):
  6. Students complete worksheet activities, where they must identify, describe, and extend patterns. Circulate the room to provide individual assistance and ensure all students are on task.
  7. Interactive Activity (2 minutes):
  8. Use the interactive smartboard to display dynamic patterns, encouraging students to come up and extend the patterns physically.

End Activities (4 minutes):

  1. Exit Ticket (2 minutes):
  2. Hand out small slips of paper and ask students to draw or describe one pattern they learned today.
  3. Review and Reflect (2 minutes):
  4. Quickly review the day’s lesson and allow a few students to share their exit ticket patterns.

Assessment and Checks for Understanding:

  • Observation of student participation during guided and independent practice.
  • Completed worksheets to evaluate understanding of pattern creation and identification.
  • Exit tickets to assess immediate recall and understanding of the lesson.

Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners:

  • For students needing extra help: Provide simplified patterns and one-on-one assistance.
  • For advanced students: Challenge them to create more complex or multiple-step patterns and explain the sequence rules.
  • Use of tactile learning tools: Pattern blocks help kinesthetic learners grasp the concept better.
  • Visual aids: Display colourful charts and diagrams to aid visual learners.

Teaching Notes:

  • Emphasise the importance of patterns in everyday life to make the lesson more relatable.
  • Encourage students to verbalise their thought processes when identifying or creating patterns to reinforce their learning.
  • Be mindful of students who may struggle with attention; incorporate frequent, brief interactive activities to maintain student engagement.
  • Make sure the lesson materials are accessible and consider students with visual or learning disabilities by providing larger print worksheets or additional verbal explanations.

This lesson plan aims to build a foundational understanding of patterns in a fun and engaging manner, consistent with the CAPS curriculum objectives for Grade 3 Mathematics Term 3.