Virginia Standards of Learning
5th Grade
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
5.20 The student will analyze the structure of numerical and geometric patterns (how they change or grow) and express the relationship, using words, tables, graphs, or a mathematical sentence. Concrete materials and calculators will be used.
Lessons (4)
Outlines the approach to building fractals by cutting out portions of plane figures.
Introduces students to the idea of finding number patterns in the generation of several different types of fractals.
Shows students that number patterns exist in the Pascal's Triangle, and reinforces student's ability to identify patterns.
Students learn to identify a variety of patterns using sequences and tessellations.
Activities (3)
Recognize patterns in a series of shapes, numbers, or letters. After determining the pattern, the student fills in the missing pieces. Three levels of difficulty are available.
Play the Chaos Game by experimenting with probabilities. Learn about an apparently random process with a not-so-random, geometric fractal result.
Step through the tortoise and hare race, based on Zeno's paradox, to learn about the multiplication of fractions and about convergence of an infinite sequence of numbers.