Blog #4: Spot the Pattern

The word of the week is pattern!      
        Patterns are really everywhere, once you begin looking. They can be “fence posts, steps, rungs of a ladder, railroad tracks and spokes on a wheel suggest a repetitive pattern” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). On a regular basis I don’t look at the scenery around me for patterns. I really find you notice things once something has been mentioned to you. As I began to observe patterns this week in Downtown Toronto and as I commuted back to my house I had difficulty narrowing down which picture I would pick to talk about. The picture I decided to use was a building that I see when I walk to my car everyday from the Go Train. When I first looked at the building I recognized the repetition of the balconies. There was a distinct pattern repeating itself over and over again. The placing of the balconies and the distance between them creates a “plain and simple” (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142) pattern.

Once I zoomed in on my picture that I had taken, I was overwhelmed by the different patterns that I recognized. Some of the different patterns that I noticed included; the window sizes, window shapes, the colours of the windows, the use of space and brick placement around the windows. There is also the use of alternating materials of glass and bricks. The use of glass and bricks is sequenced in a pattern of windows, pillars, balcony, which is repeated over and over. When you look closer you see more patterns within the patterns. Patterns can be largely included into the classroom to benefit the children’s learning. If teachers show children different patterns around the classroom or outside in the school yard, children are going to begin looking for patterns everywhere they go (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). This can help children develop in many different curriculum components such as math, science, art or reading. Children need to learn how to observe patterns and will help them develop in the classroom (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 142). Once children can identify patterns around them they are able to apply the knowledge to patterning tasks and activities in their classroom.  

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, 

            CA: Delmar.