Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and create counting patterns.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Pencil or crayons

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Activity 1: Counting Forward and Backward

Start by counting forward from 1 to 10. Then, practice counting backward from 10 to 1. Repeat this a few times to get comfortable with the pattern.

• Activity 2: Skip Counting

Choose a starting number, like 2 or 5, and practice skip counting by that number. For example, if you start with 2, count 2, 4, 6, 8, and so on. See if you can go all the way up to 20!

• Activity 3: Pattern Creation

Create your own counting pattern using numbers and shapes. Start with a simple pattern, like counting by 2 and drawing a square for each number. Then, try more complex patterns using different numbers and shapes.

Talking Points

• Counting is a way to keep track of numbers in order.
• When we count forward, we start with a number and add one each time.
• When we count backward, we start with a number and subtract one each time.
• Skip counting is when we count by a number that is greater than one.
• Patterns are sequences that repeat in a predictable way.
• We can create our own counting patterns by choosing a starting number and a pattern rule.
• Counting patterns can be represented using numbers, shapes, or even colors.