Patterns and Relationships

In Grade 3, students identify, describe, extend, and create patterns in numbers, shapes, and everyday contexts. They explore how patterns help us make predictions and understand mathematical relationships, laying the foundation for algebraic thinking.

Grade Three Expectations for Patterns and Relationships

Essential Learning Outcome 1: Pattern Recognition and Extension

Identify and describe repeating patterns in various contexts
Extend repeating patterns with shapes, colors, and numbers
Identify and describe growing and shrinking patterns
Extend growing and shrinking patterns
Identify errors and missing elements in patterns
Create patterns using given rules

Specific Curriculum Outcomes

By the end of Grade Three, the learner will be expected to:

Inclusive Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:

Observations: Teacher observations during pattern activities, group work, and discussions about pattern concepts
Conversations: Student explanations of pattern rules, relationships, and predictions
Products: Student work samples, including created patterns, extended patterns, completed input-output tables, and pattern-based projects

Sample Assessment Tools:

Observation checklists for pattern recognition and extension
Rubrics for evaluating student understanding of relationships and functions
Performance tasks involving creating and analyzing patterns
Exit tickets to assess daily learning objectives
Pattern journals for students to record and reflect on patterns they discover

Inclusive Learning Strategies

Additional Resources and Materials

For Teachers

Pattern blocks and other manipulatives
Function machine templates
Input-output table templates
Hundreds charts and number lines
Pattern cards and task cards
OECS Grade 3 Mathematics Curriculum Guide

For Students

Individual pattern blocks and manipulatives
Pattern journals
T-charts for recording input-output pairs
Grid paper for creating patterns
Pattern recognition worksheets

Teacher Content Knowledge

Patterns and relationships form the foundation of algebraic thinking. In Grade 3, students build on their understanding of repeating patterns and begin to explore more complex growing and shrinking patterns. They also develop their understanding of functional relationships through work with input-output tables and simple rules. The ability to recognize, describe, extend, and create patterns helps students make sense of the mathematical world and develop problem-solving skills. Teachers should emphasize the connections between patterns and other mathematical concepts, such as operations, number sense, and geometry. By providing opportunities for students to explore patterns in various contexts, teachers help them develop the ability to generalize and abstract, which are essential skills for higher-level mathematics.