Activity Introduction

A pattern is something that repeats. Where in the world do you see patterns? Maybe there are tiles on your floor or bricks in your wall. Some flowers have petals that follow a pattern too. In nature, there are lots of things you can use to create or observe patterns. In this activity, you will use objects that you find from nature to make and describe patterns.

Safety advice: When touching things in nature, inspect closely with your eyes first, to keep away from insects or prickles.

Younger kids will need support to complete this activity.

Ideal for: Lower Primary Ages 5 – 7

Themes: 

  • fresh air 
  • playtime 
  • brain teasers

Time required: 15 minutes

Curriculum connections: Mathematics, Numeracy, Sustainability

Tips for Parents and Carers

There are many different types of patterns. They could be visual, numerical, musical or movement-based. We can see patterns in nature in the symmetry of plants, ocean waves, shell spirals and cracks in the ground. Visual patterns in nature usually don’t repeat exactly.

Lesson & Curriculum Details

Curriculum codes:

Complete lesson for classroom teachers:

Outdoor Learning – Nature Patterns – Foundation

Resources Required

  • Access to outdoor area
  • Camera (optional)
  • Collection of natural objects – leaves, gumnuts, stones, etc.

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[email protected] resources are designed for parents and teachers to use with children in the home environment. They can be used as stand-alone activities or built into existing curriculum-aligned learning programs. Our [email protected] series includes two types of resources. The first are fun and challenging real-world activities for all ages, the second are self-directed lessons for upper primary and secondary students. These lessons support independent learning in remote or school settings.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Student Worksheet

One Leaf, Two Leaf, One Leaf, Two - Activity Instructions

A pattern is something that repeats. Where in the world do you see patterns? Maybe there are tiles on your floor or bricks in your wall. Some flowers have petals that follow a pattern too. In nature, there are lots of things you can use to create or observe patterns. In this activity, you will use objects that you find from nature to make and describe patterns.

Safety advice: When touching things in nature, inspect closely with your eyes first, to keep away from insects or prickles.

Step 1. Go for a walk outdoors with an adult. As you walk, search for leaves, twigs or other items that are on the ground and collect them. It’s important to not collect flowers, leaves or branches that are still growing. This could hurt the plant.

Step 2. Take your collection to a comfy place to sit. Look at everything you have collected, and sort it into groups of things that look the same.

Step 3. Use your collection to make a pattern. Then,

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