Research shows that attention to pattern and structure is fundamental to mathematical learning and attainment yet early mathematics curricula in England underplay the importance of patterning. In a critical realist notion of powerful knowledge, pattern teaching has the potential to empower children to notice patterns, mathematise their everyday…

As we move further into the digital age, the acquisition of digital literacy (DL) and computational thinking (CT) skills is emerging internationally as an essential goal for students in contemporary school curricula. As the world becomes more uncertain and volatile due to impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), international unrest, climate…

Patterning, or the ability to understand patterns, is a skill commonly taught to young children as part of school mathematics curricula. While a number of studies have demonstrated that patterning is beneficial for young children acquiring mathematical skills, little research exists that examines the cognitive components of the skill. It seems…

This article describes how in early mathematics learning, young children are often asked to recognize and describe visual patterns in their environment--perhaps on their clothing, a toy, or the carpet; around a picture frame; or in the playground equipment. Exploring patterns in the early years is seen as an important introduction to algebraic…

Most teachers feel confident espousing the benefits of using picture books in English lessons, talking about the importance of using the illustrations to enhance the text, engaging students and fostering a love and appreciation of literature. How many teachers passionately advocate the use of these same picture books in mathematics lessons? This…

Advocated is developing intuitive ideas of limits whenever the opportunity arises in elementary mathematics. Examples are given for geometry, fractions, sequences and series, areas, probability, graphing, and the golden section. (MNS)

Stresses that powers are all based on geometric progressions which start at unity. Various patterns are discussed. (MNS)

Describes an activity that utilizes four pattern blocks to help students understand and explain perimeter. Engages students in making and supporting conjectures about a scenario that involves trains composed of various shapes with different perimeters. (DDR)

Learning activities are given for instruction in the skill of associating numbers with sets of dots, a skill intermediate between counting and higher number concepts. (MP)

Pattern recognition is viewed as a fundamental cognitive skill that lays the groundwork for the ability to form abstractions and generalizations. Incorporating patterning into the curriculum of young children is encouraged. (MP)

The articles in this collection of readings come principally from the last ten years of the "Arithmetic Teacher." The emphasis is on teaching mathematics in grades K-6, although some articles may include teaching ideas and activities for grades seven and eight. Articles on measurement geometry are not included; the focus is on the development of…

Four activity workshops are suggested which might be used for several different purposes. The reproducible worksheets address clock patterns, patterns with tides, extending Pythagoras, and fractions extended. (PK)

This set of activity sheets requires students to organize and display data with a box-and-whiskers graph. Students use the plot as a summary display to detect patterns and to highlight the important features of the data for purposes of comparison. (PK)

This document is the first of seven units developed by the Math Network Curriculum Project. Each unit, designed to be a 2-week module, is a teacher's guide which includes detailed directions along with the courseware and software needed. Teacher intervention in the non-computer activities that begin each unit is required, and the consistent use of…

The "Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics" (1989) provides a vision and a framework for revising and strengthening the K-12 mathematics curriculum in North American schools and for evaluating both the mathematics curriculum and students' progress. The document not only addresses what mathematics students should…