The Robertson Program for Inquiry-based Teaching in Math and Science - OISE

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"Rather than assigning KWLs as a preliminary task that may only tap the knowledge of a few students, start with a more open-ended discussion based upon a common experience, such as a read aloud, experiment or exploratory walk."
- Dr. Julie Comay on conceptual organizers

Thinking beyond the KWL Chart +8 ideas for working with conceptual organizers KWL-type models may oversimplify the process of coming to know by highlighting information over thinking, as well as failing to credit the mix of wondering, experiencing, thinking, rethinking, feeling, observing and questioning. PLUS, 8 ideas for working with conceptual organizers.

In this customizable lesson, students hunt for, identify and illustrate pattern examples from their own classroom. Could use as an assessment or concluding activity to recap learning from the unit.

Free lesson + curriculum connections:

Pattern Hunt - The Robertson Program for Inquiry-based Teaching in Mathematics and Science Students go on a pattern hunt to look for naturally occurring patterns in their environment. Early Years Number Sense, Patterning and Algebra.

3 paper “snakes” and some “magical pellets” form the basis of this story-based, early years patterning lesson. What theories do children come up with for how many pellets each snake must eat? Can they uncover the patterns you create?

Free lesson + printout:

Growing Patterns Through a story about magical snakes, children think about numerical patterns. Early Years, Patterning and Algebra.