Teacher: Catherine Root

Date: 09/18/18
Caterpillar Patterns
45 minutes
I. Topic: Recognize, describe and extend patterns.
II. Standard/Objective:
a. Standard: LM 2.6 Recognize, describe and extend patterns.
b. Objective: Given teacher instruction and practice with Unifix cubes, TSWBAT create two caterpillar friends
with different patterns of colored construction paper.
III. Materials:
a. Unifix cubes
b. Example caterpillar friends
c. Construction paper circles (12 of each color; 6 colors) and one sheet of paper for each child
d. Glue sticks
e. Markers
IV. Modifications/Adaptations:
a. For students that need additional support coming up with two different patterns for their caterpillar friends,
the teacher(s) will work individually with them using the Unifix cubes. They will use these manipulatives to
establish two different patterns which can then be transferred into making their paper caterpillar friends.
V. Teaching Procedures:
a. Anticipatory Set
i. Hello everyone! My name is Miss Root and I will be showing you how to make Pattern Caterpillar
friends today! How many of you have seen a caterpillar before? Can anyone tell me what kind of
colors you’ve seen on a caterpillar? Yes, I’ve seen those colors before too! I’m not sure if you’ve
noticed before, but most caterpillars have the same colors on their bodies over and over again.
When two or three colors repeat after the other at least 3 times, we call this a “pattern.” Take a
look at these cubes I have here (pull out Unifix cubes - Concrete). If I arrange them blue-yellow-
blue-yellow-blue-yellow, I have a pattern! Can anyone else give me a pattern I can make out of the
cubes? (Continue making example patterns with the children until they seem to have a firm grasp of
patterns. If they are confident enough with ABABAB patterns, introduce AABBAA or AABAAB)
b. Independent Practice
i. Pass out Unifix cubes to the children and let them come up with two different patterns for their
caterpillar friends. Assist any children who are having difficulties.
c. Development
i. Once you have finished your two patterns, I’m going to pass out some paper circles that match the
colors of your cubes (Representation). Then, glue down your circles onto your paper in the same
pattern as your cubes and draw on some caterpillar feet, antennae, and a face, like mine here!
d. Closure
i. Students will complete their caterpillar friends and write their names on their papers. As students
finish up, ask students about the patterns they made/colors they used. Have them say out loud the
patterns they came up with (Abstract).
VI. Student Reflection:
a. Did the students understand what it meant to create a pattern?
i. Following the lesson, the students were able to recognize a pattern and create their own.
b. Were the students able to create two different caterpillar friends?
i. Yes, they each created two different caterpillars.
VII. Teacher Reflection:
a. Did I explain instructions clearly to the students?
 i. Yes, the students were able to understand how to make different patterns as well as how to glue
circles to make caterpillars. Ms. Potter liked the use of unifix cubes as manipulatives, as they
helped students to transition from making a pattern to creating their caterpillar friends.
b. Was I able to express the definition of a pattern in a way that made sense to the students?
i. Yes, using the Unifix cubes as a prop, I was able to express the definition in an understandable
way.
c. What would I change to improve this lesson in the future?
i. I would print out pictures of different patterns in real life (animals, different colored objects in
patterns, etc) to reinforce the idea of a pattern even more clearly to the students.