PATTERNS AND PROPORTIONS

DURATION: THIS WORKSHOP IS A GREAT WAY TO INTRODUCE OR

50 minutes CONCLUDE A UNIT ON MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS. IN
GRADE: THIS WORKSHOP, DESIGNED TO COMPLEMENT THE FEATURE
3–4 EXHIBITION A MIRROR MAZE: NUMBERS IN NATURE , STUDENTS
30 students maximum WILL EXPLORE PATTERNS AND PROPORTIONS USING DICE
GAMES, SORTING AND THE PREPOSTEROUS PROPORTIONS OF
KEYWORDS:
THE BODY.
Numbers
Patterns
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN PATTERNS AND PROPORTIONS?
Fibonacci sequence
Ratios Knowledge of patterns and proportions is important for understanding and comparing quantities.
We may use them to double a recipe, choose the best price at the store or uncover the relationship
Proportions
between the circumference and diameter of a circle. In this program, students will explore patterns
CURRICULUM and proportions through sorting unusual objects, playing a simple dice game and comparing the
LINKS BY GRADE: proportions of different parts of the human body.

Math 3 (Patterns and Probability)

Science 3 (Biodiversity)
Math 4 (Patterns and Probability)
CURRICULAR
COMPETENCIES:
Understanding and Solving
Reasoning and Analyzing
Communicating and Representing
Connecting and Reflecting
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: PATTERNS SCAVENGER HUNT
Once you know what to look for, you can find patterns in almost everything. One of the most
important patterns in nature is the Fibonacci sequence. The sequence is: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,
34, 55, 89, 144 and so on. After 1, the next number in the sequence is the sum of the previous
two numbers.
For example: 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 2+3=5, 3+5=8, 5+8=13
Look for the Fibonacci sequence in flower petals:
» Lilies/Iris = 3 petals
» Buttercups = 5 petals
» Delphiniums = 8 petals
» Marigolds = 13 petals
» Asters = 21 petals
» Daisies = 34, 55 or 89 petals

Try counting the veins of a leaf or the number of branches off the limb of a tree!

Why is this such an important pattern? The Fibonacci pattern exists because that particular growth
pattern evolved as the most efficient. In plants, this may mean maximum exposure for light-hungry
leaves or maximum seeds in the least amount of space.

WHAT YOU NEED:

» A natural space to explore (could have: flowers, trees, plants with leaves on, pinecones)
» Pattern Bingo sheets (1 per pair of students)
» Pencils

Activity continued on other side

To view our complete field trip offerings, or to book a trip, please visit scienceworld.ca/fieldtrips. Charitable BN: 10673 4809 RR0001
To enquire about programs for schools, contact the sales office at reserve@scienceworld.ca or 604.443.7500.
PATTERNS AND PROPORTIONS
WHAT TO DO:
1. Head outside with your partner. Take a Pattern Bingo sheet and a pencil.

2. Explore for 20–30 minutes. You get a bingo when you find three patterns in a row!

3. Form groups of 4 and share your findings. What is similar? What is different?
How many of these are examples of the Fibonacci pattern?

PATTERN BINGO

Find a pine cone. Draw it! Find a flower with 5 Find a small plant. How many
or more petals. leaves does it have?

Find a leaf with Draw another pattern Draw an insect! How many
branching veins. you found outside! segments are on its body?

Find a spider. Find a tree or bush. Draw it! Find a flower with 3 petals.
How many legs does it have?

Activity continued on other side

To view our complete field trip offerings, or to book a trip, please visit scienceworld.ca/fieldtrips. Charitable BN: 10673 4809 RR0001
To enquire about programs for schools, contact the sales office at reserve@scienceworld.ca or 604.443.7500.
PATTERNS AND PROPORTIONS
MORE ABOUT PATTERNS AND MATHEMATICS AT SCIENCE WORLD

TELUS World of Science coloured building tiles

Puzzles and Illusions Gallery
Search: Sara Stern Gallery: Ant Hill Mold, Beehive, Turtle Shell
Eureka! Gallery: Harmonograph
A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature Exhibition

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
» Science World Resources  |  Topologic Turmoil
scienceworld.ca/resources/units/topological-turmoil
» Fabulous Fibonacci  |  Mensa for Kids
mensaforkids.org/teach/lesson-plans/fabulous-fibonacci
» Fibonacci Sequence  |  Math Is Fun
mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html
» Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci and Being a Plant  |  Vi Hart
youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0
» Patterns  |  Math Is Fun
mathsisfun.com/algebra/patterns.html
» Pattern Memory  |  Cool Math Games
coolmath-games.com/0-pattern-memory

To view our complete field trip offerings, or to book a trip, please visit scienceworld.ca/fieldtrips. Charitable BN: 10673 4809 RR0001
To enquire about programs for schools, contact the sales office at reserve@scienceworld.ca or 604.443.7500.