Activities

1. Using a diagram depicting the life cycle of a frog, use a few sentences to explain the pattern.
   
   
2. One specific type of pattern found in nature is symmetry. Symmetry is the balance of an object where one side is identical to the other, or the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis. Given multiple images, please draw one, or multiple limes of symmetry through the images.
   
   
3. Draw a cartoon or flow chart depicting the pattern of a deciduous tree over the course of 4 seasons. Please label your drawing with the appropriate season and a brief caption of the drawing.

4. Draw a leaf. It can be any size or shape you have seen before in nature. When your leaf is complete, compare it with the people at your table.
   Discuss the following questions:

1. 1. How do their sizes vary?
   2. How do their shapes differ?
   3. What color would your leaf be?
   4. What type of climate would your leaf be found?

Make 3 observation statements about the leaves your table has drawn.

5. One way to define migration is: “seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.” Using this definition answer the following question: Is migration a pattern in nature? Write a 6-sentence explanation of your opinion. Be sure to back up your opinion with facts from nature.
   
   
6. Does precipitation follow a pattern? In your own words explain your thoughts. If necessary look up a diagram of the water cycle.
   
   
7. The moon follows a consistent pattern. After viewing images of the moon and its phases for an entire week, continue the pattern for the following week.
   
   
8. A water tide is another example of a pattern in natural systems. The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NAOA) tracks tides. What other patterns might the NAOA investigate? How might we use their findings to predict future weather patterns?

9. You will be working with a partner to investigate one of the following patterns in nature:
   1. River Meanders
   2. Sand dunes
   3. Crystals and snowflakes

Use your classroom resources to create a short presentation explaining the pattern in the natural system. Please also include how the pattern is observed and how scientists can use predictions of the pattern to study the phenomenon.

10. Classroom debate: Is a pattern the same as a cycle?
    
    
11. Read the following investigation abstract and answer the questions below.
    A scientist is measuring the sleep cycles of children, ages 5-15. The participants are asked to record the amount of time spent sleeping each night, over 30 days.

1. Do you think the scientist will be able to observe a pattern during a 7 day week? Why or why not?
2. Does the month of the year have an impact on the data the scientist will collect? Why or why not?
3. Do you predict the sleep time will be more or less for the younger participants? Why or why not?
4. What are some implications the scientist can use their findings for? In other words, how can this investigation help the population?

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Answers include, but are not limited to: An adult lays eggs. The eggs hatch into a tadpole, and grow legs. The tadpole loses its tale after the froglet phase to become an adult.
   
   
2. Lines of symmetry will vary depending on the images chosen for this question.
   
   
3. Flow chart would include 4 seasons with buds in spring, full leaves in summer, leaves falling off in fall, and bare branches in winter.
   
   
4. Teacher directed and evaluated, observation are based on senses and measurements
   
   
5. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content:

6. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content:

7. Answers will vary depending on what phases of the moon they view.
   
   
8. Some patterns may include: high and low tide, temperatures and currents, hurricanes and lake effect snow storms.
   
   
9. Suggested Rubric: This rubric may be used to assess a student’s overall mastery of the standard or eligible content:

10. Teacher directed and evaluated
    
    
11. Some possible answers may include:
    
    1. No, not enough time
    2. Yes, school vs. vacation
    3. More because they need more sleep/take more naps
    4. Help parents and teachers