How can teachers help children to develop reasoning skills? What is reasoning and how do we teach it? Much is being said in schools and education about the importance of reasoning skills. This book explores what reasoning is and what it is not. It includes examples of how reasoning in primary mathematics and science classes can develop. It shows how a connection between the ‘skills’ of mathematics and science can help children to gain a better understanding of reasoning. What is a conjecture? What makes you think? What makes you think about your thinking? What does reasoning look like? With links to classroom practice and examples of effective teaching throughout, this book not only provides an exploration of what reasoning is and why it’s important - it also show you how to develop children’s reasoning skills in your classroom.

Noticing pattern to promote reasoning

Noticing pattern to promote reasoning

Noticing pattern to promote reasoning

In this chapter

By the end of this chapter you will:

  • understand how noticing pattern and pattern spotting are both opportunities for learners to reason;
  • explore the different forms pattern can take;
  • explore how data provides a rich source for noticing patterns;
  • have some activities to trial which encourage learners to notice patterns;
  • know why noticing pattern and pattern spotting are skills of reasoning.

Why is noticing pattern important in enabling reasoning?

Pattern is all around us. We can see patterns in numbers, in data, in flowers and even within our own fingerprints. Humans are so tuned to notice pattern that they will often ‘see’ it even when it does not exist; in clouds, for example. That said, our ability to perceive patterns ...

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