Predicting the Next Step

Learning Objectives Identify a simple repeating pattern. Describe the 'rule' of a pattern. Predict the next item in a sequence. Create their own simple A-B or A-B-C pattern. Explain why their prediction is correct. Find patterns in daily routines like getting ready. If you see a cat 🐈, then a dog 🐕, then a cat 🐈... what animal comes next? 🤔 We will learn about patterns! Patterns help us guess what comes next. This is a super skill for solving puzzles and giving instructions to a computer. Real-World Applications Knowing the next step in a song 🎵 Getting dressed in the morning 👕👖 Following a recipe to bake cookies 🍪 Playing games like Simon Says 🧍

TermDefinitionExample PatternA pattern is something that repeats over and over again. 🔁Red block, blue block, red block, blue block... is a pattern. SequenceA sequence is a list of things in a special order. ➡️🍎, 🍌, 🍊 is a sequence of fruits. RuleThe rule tells us how the pattern works. It is the secret code! 🤫In the pattern ☀️, 🌙, ☀️, 🌙... the rule is 'sun then moon'. PredictTo predict means to make a smart guess about what is next. 🔮I predict the next color will be green. StepA step is one single thing in a pattern or a set of directions. 🐾The first step is to pick up a pencil.

Look and Say Rule Say the pattern out loud. Use this first! Hearing the pattern can help you find what repeats. Find the Core Rule Find the smallest part that repeats. Look for the group of items that happens again and again. Check Your Guess Rule Does your guess follow the rule? After you predict, check if it fits the pattern you found.