Polar Animal Pattern Activity for First Grade

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. 🙂

So 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! This week, I’m joining the Early Elementary Blogging Team to share a Polar Animal Pattern Activity for First Grade!

If you like this activity, don’t miss this fun snowflake math factors craft for kids!

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).

With Roo (who’s in first grade), I decided to start with simple patterns and we used our Arctic Animal Flashcards to do it!

To do this activity, you’ll need the following:

1. Printer (with ink)
2. Printer paper
3. Scissors
4. Laminator (great for reusing the cards later)
5. A copy of our free Arctic Animal Flashcards

I printed two sets of the cards, including the set with animal names and the set without.

Then I laid out two cards from each set: Roo’s job was to discern the pattern and then continue it. I started with an ABABAB pattern.

The look on his face when he said “Oh, I know this!” was precious.

He did the top row first…

…then the bottom.

So I set up a second group of patterns – this time, featuring different animal cards and an ABCABCABC pattern.

Success!

Afterward, he really just wanted to play with the flashcards, so getting him to stop and smile was a bit of a challenge. 🙂

But this was a super simple pattern activity for first grade, especially if your child is new to learning patterns or if he or she needs a little refresher on simple patterns before moving on to more complex sequences.

Don’t miss these other math activities for kids!

To get your set of our Arctic Animal Flashcards for this activity, click the image or link below!

>>>>>>> Arctic Animal Flashcards <<<<<<<

And you can get even more practice with math patterns with our Ice Pop Patterns Pack!

>>>>>>> Ice Pop Patterns Pack <<<<<<<

See more fun ways to teach math on my Math Mania Pinterest board!

More Polar Animal Ideas from the Early Elementary Team:

Penguin Addition to 100 with Hundreds Chart from Life Over C’s

Polar Animals Facts Game from In the Playroom

How Do Penguins Stay Dry? from Raising Little Superheroes

Polar Bear Food Chains from Rainy Day Mum

Polar Bear Place Value Math Games from Sugar Aunts

Polar Bear Footprint Multiplication from Still Playing School

Arctic Animals Sight Words Game from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Polar Animals True or False? from Sallie Borrink – Living and Learning Outside the Box

Penguin Art Project from Preschool Powol Packets