Building Patterns with Toys

Learning Objectives Identify the core repeating unit in a simple pattern. Describe a pattern using letters (e.g., ABAB). Extend a given pattern by at least two items. Create their own simple pattern using two or three different toys. Explain that an algorithm is a set of steps to build a pattern. Look at this line of toys! 🧸🚗🧸🚗... What toy do you think comes next? 🤔 Today, we will be super detectives! 🕵️ We will find and build secret codes called patterns. Learning patterns helps us tell computers what to do. Real-World Applications Songs have repeating verses and choruses 🎶 Stripes on a shirt make a pattern 👕 Day and night repeat in a pattern ☀️🌙 Traffic lights change in a pattern 🚦

TermDefinitionExample PatternA pattern is something that repeats over and over again in a special order. ✨A line of fruits like: 🍎🍌🍎🍌🍎🍌... SequenceA sequence is a list of things that are in a specific order. 🔢First the red block, then the blue block. That is a sequence. Core UnitThe core unit is the smallest part of the pattern that repeats. It's the secret code! 🤫In the pattern 🚗🧸🚗🧸, the core unit is just 🚗🧸. AlgorithmAn algorithm is a list of steps to follow to finish a task, like building a pattern. 📝Step 1: Get a red block. Step 2: Get a yellow block. Step 3: Repeat! LoopA loop is when you repeat an action or a set of steps again and again. 🔄Clap, stomp. Clap, stomp. You are doing a loop!

Find the Core Unit Look for the smallest group of items that repeats. To understand a pattern, you must first find its repeating part. The AB Pattern Rule Item A, Item B, Item A, Item B... This is a simple pattern with two different items that take turns. The ABC Pattern Rule Item A, Item B, Item C, Item A, Item B, Item C... This is a pattern with three different items that repeat in order.