This lesson on mathematics introduces students to patterns and sequences in objects as well as activities. Comparisons are introduced such as longer, shorter, farther, closer, etc.

Teachers note: Because of the broad range of ages in some classes and the concrete nature of mathematics knowledge development, these lessons are not intended to be traditional mathematics lessons. In keeping with the FasTracKids education philosophy, these lessons introduce mathematics concepts as one component of the overall knowledge enrichment. With games and activities using primary numbers, students are able to concentrate on their presentations, deduction and application of the knowledge, rather than merely focusing on the numbers themselves.

Note: If you have a Hitachi Board, activate the drawing pen tool. It is used near the end of the program - "The Shortest Distance" on your pulldown menu.

"Introduction to Sequences"
The lesson starts by describing the sequence of a pattern by showing cartoon puppies as they run by the Learning Station. Students are asked to determine which puppy will run by next and why that one was chosen. Students are then instructed to observe patterns in the classroom such as boy/girl/boy/girl. Remind the students to listen carefully to the narration on the Learning Station as it gives instructions to the class on how to create or discover other patterns.

"Cow Pattern Games"
Touch-screen activity - Students are shown cartoon cows standing by a fence on the Learning Station. Talk about the pattern shown. Then, students are instructed to move the additional cows to continue the pattern.
Hands-on activity - Using the preprinted picture of cows provided on your disk, students now create their own patterns as they color the cows.

"Sound Patterns"
Physical activity - Students are next shown that patterns do not only appear in pictures. Remind them to listen to the instructions given to clap their hands, stomp their feet, etc., to make a sound pattern.

"Maya and Mucha"
Touch-screen - The story of Maya and her pet pig Mucha is told to illustrate more complex patterns. Maya creates beaded necklaces to sell at the market. As the story progresses, Maya's necklaces are broken. Students are then instructed to help by putting the beads back in order on the Learning Station.

"Make Your Own Necklace"
Hands-on activity - Students now create their own patterned necklaces using items provided by the teacher. Many different items can be used for this exercise such as cereal, lifesaver candies, large beads, buttons, or different colored paper cutouts strung on yarn, shoestrings, or ribbon. If this is not practical, the same activity can be done by pasting different colored cutouts of paper onto a larger piece of paper with a string drawn on it. Students should be guided as they create patterns. Also suggest that students create patterns by 2s and 3s.
Videotaping activity - While they are creating their necklaces, videotape each student as they describe their pattern. Encourage them to use full sentences as they explain why it is a pattern.

"Help Peter Turtle Get Home"
Touch-screen - Peter Turtle wants to go home by using the shortest path. Students must determine which path to take. Students will need to realize which path is shortest by counting the houses. If the wrong path is chosen, Peter returns to the start. Talk about terms such as 'longer', 'shorter', 'faster', and 'slower' to determine if the students understand the exercise.

"Suzy Rabbit"& "Spot Goes To the Lake"
Touch-screen - these exercises are the same as the previous one. The program advances when the correct path is chosen. The different visual images allow students to clearly understand how to solve their problem by reinforcing the concept as they compare.

"The Shortest Distance"
All three previous images are shown again to discover that the shortest way from one place to another is a straight line. Students are again introduced to comparison words such as big, bigger, biggest. Different questions are presented on the Learning Station. Students must listen closely in order to answer correctly and understand the concepts clearly.
Learning Station Drawing Activity - Photos of buildings are shown on the Learning Station. Students are instructed to number them in order from shortest to tallest. Use the pen tool or finger (depending on your board) to draw the correct number on the buildings.

"Put the Dolls in the Correct Order"
Touch-screen - A series of dolls is shown on the Learning Station in random order by size. Students must put them in order by moving them in a line from smallest to largest. The narration then reminds the students that they are using mathematics in all of these activities, as they will throughout their daily lives.

"Count the Butterflies"
Colorful butterflies are shown on the Learning Station for students to count. This exercise requires the students listen as many questions are asked as butterflies fly away. Simple addition and subtraction is introduced in this exercise. Terms introduced are 'addition', 'subtraction', and 'zero'.

"Make Your Own Butterflies"
Hands-on activity & videotaping - Provide colorful tissue paper, twist ties or rubber bands to create butterflies. The simplest way to create these is by simply twisting a piece of the tissue in the middle and securing a rubber band or twist tie tightly in the middle. This can be done quickly, or if time allows, students can glue glitter or other decorations onto their butterflies. Students should also be encouraged to choose a number to talk about during their presentation and make that many butterflies. As they do, students give a brief report in front of the Learning Station, using the branch shown as a prop. Encourage the students to use complete sentences as they tell a short story about their butterfly or butterflies. You may need to ask questions such as, 'how many butterflies flew away?', 'where did they go?', or 'how many were left if one flew away?'. Videotape their performance. As the dialog directs, students then should write the number of butterflies on the Learning Station.
After videotaping - students glue their butterflies to paper to take home and repeat their story. Provide a small branch or brown paper create a branch to glue the butterflies upon similar to the picture on the Learning Station. (or draw branches with markers). Remind the students to draw their number on the pictures as they did on the Learning Station. Encourage them to take their pictures home and tell their families the story describing how many butterflies they have.

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
preprinted handout of cows for students to create a pattern
materials to create patterned beaded necklaces - colored cereal, large beads, colored candy (lifesavers), cutouts of colored paper, etc. yarn, string or shoestrings paper cutouts of different sizes, shapes and colors to glue on paper to create a patterned necklace picture
Paper, glue, scissors
Tissue paper to create butterflies for videotaping reports, twist ties or rubber bands to secure butterflies, glitter and glue to decorate
Small tree branches or scraps of paper to glue onto paper to create branch for butterflies picture to take home
Videotape