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Session 02: God's Patterns 🔢

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 2 of 17

Students discover that God built patterns into creation—in math, nature, art, and music—exploring the beautiful order of the universe.

Session 02: God's Patterns

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Identify patterns in nature and everyday life

  • Create and extend patterns using different materials

  • Understand that patterns show God's order in creation

  • Connect mathematical thinking to beauty

Session 02: God's Patterns

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Pattern blocks

  • 🌿 Nature items with patterns (pinecones, leaves, flowers)

  • 📸 Pictures of patterns in nature (honeycomb, zebra, snowflakes)

  • 🎨 Pattern worksheets or paper strips

  • 🖍️ Crayons/markers

  • đź““ Engineering journals

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Blessed Nicolas Steno — A Catholic scientist who discovered patterns in crystals and rock layers, showing God's order in geology!

Scripture

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." — Ecclesiastes 3:11

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you made a world full of beautiful patterns—in flowers, snowflakes, and math. Open our eyes to see your wonderful order all around us. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Pattern Hunt — "What patterns do you notice in our classroom?"
  2. Definition — "A pattern is something that repeats in a predictable way"
  3. Nature Patterns — Show pictures:
  4. Honeycomb (hexagons)
  5. Zebra stripes
  6. Flower petals
  7. Snowflakes (6 points)
  8. Pinecone spirals
  9. Wonder — "Why do you think God made so many patterns?"

Main Activity: Pattern Exploration (18 minutes)

Station Rotation or Whole Group:

Part 1: Nature Patterns (5 minutes)

  • Examine real nature items with magnifying glasses

  • Pinecone spirals, leaf veins, flower petals

  • "What patterns do you see?"

  • Count: petals, spirals, sections

Part 2: Create Patterns (8 minutes)

  • Pattern blocks: Create your own repeating pattern

  • Share with partner: "What comes next in my pattern?"

  • Challenge patterns:

  • AB pattern (red, blue, red, blue)
  • ABC pattern (red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow)
  • ABB pattern (red, blue, blue, red, blue, blue)

Part 3: Pattern Art (5 minutes)

  • Create a pattern border on paper

  • Draw a nature pattern you observed

  • Add color!

Engineering Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw a pattern you discovered today
  2. Create your own pattern design
  3. Write: "God's patterns are..."

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Share — Show one pattern you made or found
  2. Connection — "Patterns help us predict what comes next—scientists use patterns too!"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for the patterns in your beautiful world. Help us notice your order everywhere. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Identified patterns in nature

  • Created original patterns

  • Extended patterns correctly

  • Connected patterns to God's creation

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Focus on simple AB patterns

  • Pre-made pattern starters to complete

  • Pair with pattern buddy

For Advanced Students

  • Create complex patterns (AABB, ABCD)

  • Growing patterns (1, 2, 3... or square numbers)

  • Write about why patterns matter

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Go on a "Pattern Hunt" at home and outside! How many patterns can you find? Look at tiles, fabrics, plants, and animals. Draw your favorite patterns.

Teacher Notes

  • Fibonacci sequence appears in pinecones, sunflowers—point this out if students are ready

  • Connect to math class pattern work

  • Save pattern artwork for display

Previous: Session 01 — Wonder Engineers
Next: Session 03 — Bridge Building