Christmas Lights Math Pack

Christmas Lights

Based on a math pack written by Cathy Bible and Fran Yeske

Objectives: Identifying & generating patterns

Materials: Book with a Christmas story (R)

                   6 coloured pattern cards

                  Math Journal (R)

                  Crayons (R)

A.                  Read the story and discuss the parts each of you liked the best.

B.                   Look at the coloured pattern cards.  Choose one pattern that you like.  Can you name the pattern you choose (eg.  Green, green, red, green, green, red)?

Look at the pattern again.  What colour do you think would come next?

PARENTS:  Ask your child to close his/her eyes.  Then cover up on of the colours on the pattern card and see if your child can discover what colour is missing.

C.                   Choose another pattern card.  Repeat the activity of naming the pattern, extending it then covering up one colour and having your child decide what colour is missing.  Repeat for as many patterns as interest allows.

D.                  In the Math Journal, draw and colour a Christmas light pattern.

E.                   Optional: Draw a pattern of the Christmas lights on a house in your neighbourhood.

PARENTS:  Ask your child to describe the pattern.  Record the description that your child used below the drawing.