Having taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for several years, I was surprised to notice that the Common Core standards for Kindergarten math don’t include patterning. Perhaps the authors intended to later create a set of Pre-K standards that would include patterning? Regardless, not all students attend Pre-K, and I’ve noticed that many students need some practice with AB, ABB, and ABC patterning activities when they begin Kindergarten. With all the exploration of materials (linking cubes, pattern blocks, etc.) that we do at the beginning of the year, it seems like a perfect time to me to squeeze in some patterning practice!
Some students can create patterns independently, but some need some support at first. Support can be provided in the form of patterning mats like these:
You can grab a complete set of these patterning mats (which include AB, ABB, and ABC patterning for use with linking cubes and pattern blocks) here. The materials make for a SUPER simple and fun math center!
Happy patterning!
Agreed, and yet, the ability to recognize patterns is a foundational skill that is needed for Higher Order Thinking. The bonus is, kinders love to find and make patterns! (Patterning is often listed as a Science standard – perhaps that’s the problem with it being MIA in CCSS.)
I actually heard that they were working on science CCSS (even though they originally weren’t going to), so I wonder if patterning will show up there!