Create and Crack Codes for Pattern Practice
Spotting tricky patterns and cracking secret codes is the only way to solve some of the oddest cases that land at Odd Squad Headquarters, and now it’s training time for agents everywhere. Only with careful practice can agents hone their pattern-sleuthing skills to put things right every time — and potentially become a Patternista like their fearless leader, Ms. O.
Materials
Directions
Before you start, prepare the case file by cutting out the logo and attaching it to the front of the manila folder.
Tell your child that you’ve received a letter from the head of Odd Squad, Ms. O. Say: “The Odd Squad needs our help. Are you ready to help crack a math case?” Read the letter from Ms. O aloud.
Engage your child in “Training” and “Casework”, then celebrate with a “Case Closed” learning recap.
Letter from Ms. O
Agent! So glad you’re here. I have a little story for you. A long time ago when I joined the squad, I was a regular agent just like you. But one thing helped me really shine: cracking codes. I could figure out codes in my sleep, blindfolded, even hanging upside down. A lot of the time, the codes I broke were patterns — a series of numbers, colors, even sounds that repeat. I was SO good at seeing patterns that they started calling me… the Patternista! But now that I’m busy running things around here, I need to make sure ALL agents are at the top of their pattern game. The best way to do this is to get INSIDE THE MIND of a pattern-maker, so it’s time for some training. You are all going to practice being pattern-making villains and code-cracking agents. By the time you’re done, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Patternista, too. So, are you ready? Then hurry, because Odd Squad needs you!
Training
Tell your child that practice making and solving patterns is key to becoming a Patternista. Explain: “Before we can make patterns, we have to make sure we can see and crack them ourselves. Now remember, patterns can be sounds, colors, numbers, figures…any group of things that repeat. I’m going to create a number pattern on the board. It’s time to be a pattern detective: first, spot the pattern and then fill in the blanks.”
On a piece of paper, draw a shape pattern: circle, square, triangle / circle, square, triangle / circle, square, ______ .
Ask your child to describe the pattern without naming the shapes and then to fill in the blanks. Say: “Excellent work, agent! This is a pattern of three shapes that repeat. What would come after the triangle we just added?”
Next you can try a number pattern, or encourage your child to come up with a pattern! Have your child circle the part of the pattern that repeats.
Casework
Say: “Now it’s your turn to create a pattern for other agents to solve. Remember what Ms. O said in her letter: you are going to get better at seeing and understanding patterns by making some yourself.”
Have your child experiment with making patterns on some scratch paper; then have your child copy them onto the Odd Pattern Sheet. Say: “Think about what kind of pattern you want to make. Use the scratch paper to try things out. When you’re ready, put your pattern down on the pattern sheet.” In the meantime, prepare some patterns for your child to crack too.
Say: “Agent! It’s time to crack some patterns.” Trade sheets with your child and see if your child can figure out each pattern. Solve your child’s patterns too — or better yet, have your child trade with a sibling.
Case Closed
Tell your child: “Great work, agent! You’ve become a real ace Patternista. As part of our training, we like to review what we learned from the case and enter it in the case file so that future agents-in-training can learn from it.”
Ask: “What did we learn? How can we make or figure out patterns? What kinds of things can you make into a pattern?”
Write down the findings that your child shares, close your case file and write CASE CLOSED across the front. Congratulate your agent on a case well solved.
Math