Patterns with Fruits and Vegetables- Free Lesson

Let's make some AB Patterns using some coloful fruits and vegetables.

 The students will recognize and create patterns based on shapes, colors, and size of various fruits and vegetables.

Variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. (The amount you will need will vary upon the number of groups.) Examples:

1) Carrots

2) Broccoli

3) Peppers (Green, Red, Orange)

4) Celery

5) Orange

6) Potato (White and Sweet)

• Small Groups of 3-5 students

• Pre-sliced fruits and vegetables for tasting

1. Divide students into small groups giving them the whole fruits and vegetables, have the students sort the vegetables into groups depending on shape, color, sizes.

2. Model an example of an AB Pattern for students by placing certain fruits and vegetables in a line on a table. Show several examples elaborating on what characteristics create a pattern. (Color, Shape, Size)

-Example 1: Carrot, Broccoli, Orange Pepper, Celery (Orange, Green, Orange, Green)

-Example 2: Carrot, Broccoli, Celery, Pepper (Long/Skinny, Irregular, Long/Skinny, Irregular)

3. Start a pattern and ask students what they think should come next.

4. In their groups, have students create a pattern together.

5. Have each group share their pattern with the class.

Have students sit in a big circle. Introduce the fruits and vegetables chosen for the activity one at a time to students by holding up vegetable and passing it around for students. Encourage students to touch and smell. Give students nutritious information about these fruits and vegetables as they pass them around the circle.

Allow students to taste the fruits and vegetables. Have students share what fruit or vegetable they liked the best and why the fruit or vegetable is good for them.

Turn this into an art lesson by letting the students use their new knowledge of patterns and their own imagination to create their own beautiful masterpieces using the fruits and vegetables.  Simply cut some vegetables in half and dip into some paint and stamp onto white paper.  Be sure to have your smock handy for this one!