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• Can you spot a repeated pattern in the classroom? • Where are there some spotty or stripy patterns? • Can you explain why something is a repeating pattern? • Can you identify a symmetrical shape? and carefully use scissors to cut each pattern into two pieces. They can cut the paper into two squares or two triangles, as long as there is half of the pattern on each piece of the paper. Mix up the halves, turn them face over and challenge children to find the matching pairs. This can be done with talk partners or in small groups. Try a grander version of the game by asking all pupils to take one half of a square each into the hall. Spread out into spaces, invite children to wave their pieces in the air and see who is the quickest to find their matching pair. When the activity is over, you can rejoin the halves and make them into a patchwork pattern display for the 2 | PLAY A GAME OF PAIRS Provide each child with a 10cm square of white paper or card and ask them to cover one side with a repeated pattern using coloured felt pens (or whatever art supplies you’d like). Talk about how they could create different patterns using colours; lines such as zigzags, curvy waves, dots, dashes and stars; or sequences of shapes. You can tie this in with the art curriculum by looking at some famous patterns, such as examples fromWilliam Morris or Andy Warhol. Now you can make the decorated squares into a pairs game by asking pupils to fold each square in half • Make mini dried-fruit kebabs for a winter snack using a repeated pattern. Use dried apricots, cereal hoops, large raisins and mini marshmallows threaded onto cocktail sticks. • Introduce fractions by cutting each pattern square into four quarters, then challenging children to find all their matching parts and stick them back together. Alternatively, they can work with three other children to create a mini patchwork square with four different patterns. • Cut your own snowflakes by giving each child a white paper circle (you can use the stencil from the main lesson for this, too). If not using the stencil, help pupils fold the circle in half, and in half again, then open out and fold one side of the half-circle over to create six segments. Help children to cut shapes out of the folded sides and the curved edge, and then open out into a six-pointed snowflake to display in the classroom. • Make six-sided snowflake shapes using three pipe cleaners and invite the children to thread beads onto each point using a repeating colour pattern. EXTENDING THE LESSON classroom. Can children help you decide how to organise them for the greatest effect? 3 | SNOWFLAKE SYMMETRY At this time of year, snowflakes offer great natural patterns for children to observe, even if it doesn’t snow. Check out some close-up photos, including some under a microscope, on Google images (other search engines are available!). Talk about the patterns that pupils can see, such as the six-pointed star, the six lines of symmetry in the shape, and the incredible diversity, as no two snowflakes are the same. Add in some science teaching by talking about how snowflakes are made, and their place in the water cycle. Finally, explain to your class that they are going to build their own symmetrical snowflakes using different-sized glass beads and buttons. Make a stencil by drawing around a plate or bowl onto a piece of white paper and dividing it into six segments (or download a stencil at tinyurl.com/ tp-sfstencil ). Invite the children to fill each segment with an identical number of coloured beads in the same order or pattern so that they create their own symmetrical snowflake. Alternatively, pupils can draw repeated patterns into each segment. Hang these up as an art display, or keep them to refer to when learning more about snow in other subjects. Judith Harries is an experienced early years and primary school teacher, specialising in music, art and drama. She also creates cross-curricular educational content . “Real-life examples will help solidify the concept of a pattern as a sequence that repeats itself” USEFUL QUESTIONS www.teachwire.net | 75