We’ve been having an unseasonably warm winter down South this year. But that changed drastically this week.
Last week, we had highs in the 70s. This week, we woke up to 25 degrees in the morning. That’s nothing to Northerners and Midwesterners, but us Southerners panicked.
I think it’s safe to say that winter has finally arrived.
And that means it’s a great time to talk about polar animals! So I’m sharing a fun Arctic Animal Pattern Activity for first grade!
These are so fun to use at math centers, especially in the winter!
If you like this activity, don’t miss this fun snowflake math factors craft for kids and our printable Polar Animal notebooking pages!
Simple Polar Animal Pattern Activity for First Grade
Recognizing and creating math patterns are a key concept in both kindergarten and first grade. Kids are often taught to recognize patterns according to frequency.
So you might have a ABABABAB pattern (one image, then another, then the first again, then the second) or you might have a AABBAABB pattern (the first image twice, the second image twice, and so on).
Which is where this printable pattern activity comes in handy!
To use this pattern activity for first grade, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)
- Printer (with ink)
- Printer Paper (I used Astrobright paper)
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick
- Laminator (optional)
- Hook and loop sticky dots
Help students read each pattern by saying the name of each picture aloud.
For example, a pattern row might read “Fox, Igloo, Fox, Igloo, Fox, Igloo, Fox, Igloo…”. Then ask “What picture comes next?”
When students answer “Fox!”, let them cut out the fox picture and paste it on the correct row to complete the pattern!
Do the same with the other patterns.
Since some of the patterns follow an ABAB structure and others follow an ABB or an ABC pattern, it’s good to practice the same pattern structure again and again to attain fluency before trying a different one.
You can use these as a one-time cut and paste activity or laminate them and use them with hook and loop sticky dots at math centers!
Scroll down to get your Arctic Animals Basic Pattern Building Activity!
Take a look at these other math activities for early learners!
And find more ways to make math fun on my Math Mania! Pinterest board!
To get your copy of our Arctic Patterns! Polar Animal Pattern Activity for First Grade, click the link or the text below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!
Beth says
What a fun activity and way to help kids learn some great animal vocabulary too!
Selena Robinson says
Hey Beth! Thanks for stopping by!