Pattern and order is common in many picture books and is perfect for math! Pattern and order is the firm foundation of number.
Books that have a repeating sequence are common in the early years so harness this opportunity and integrate both! Old MacDonald Had a Farm, The Little Red Hen and There Was an Old Lady are examples, but I'm sure you know many more.
Tips
- when students want to join in, let them - it's a sign they've noticed the pattern
- after telling or sharing a story, help students to retell it
- extend and support your learners with questions - who got eaten next, who came next, what did they do next?
- emphasize the order of events - encouraging students to share how they know what comes next
- link with other familiar routines with an order - for example if you're reading There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, talk about the dog. Lots of students have pet dogs. Ask a student to tell you the order of steps to feed the dog, or similar. Write it on a chart or have students act it out. Your class can give the instructions as one child role plays.
As you're doing a second reading of the text, ask students to predict what animal comes next. Students may tell you that they know the next animal in the order because they are in order of size. If not, you can scaffold your discussion to elicit that or build an understanding with them.
Attach them to craft sticks and let students retell the story in independent play or learning centers.
Attach them to craft sticks and let students retell the story in independent play or learning centers.
If you're on Instagram, be sure to find me and come say hi - I'd love to help you with ideas for your classroom and learners.