Zoo animal pattern activities that grow right along with your learners! Lions, monkeys, penguins, koalas and elephants line up in seven pattern sets, from simple AB patterns all the way to ABAC, so every child in your preschool, kindergarten or 1st grade classroom has a pattern that fits.

Each pattern set comes with four differentiated ways to work with patterns. Children start by copying a pattern, move on to continuing it and then create their own patterns, first with a guide and then all on their own. Your strong learners will love the challenge of the harder patterns, and children who are still learning about patterns won't be frustrated by an activity that is too difficult. Practice building patterns with 80 pages of zoo printables.

With this zoo animal pattern set, you get

• 7 pattern sets from AB to ABAC in one download
• 4 differentiated levels for every pattern set
• Clear "I can" goals that help children see their own progress
• Easy options for laminating, write and wipe pockets or file folders

Print, prep and let the zoo animals line up!

What's Included

• 80 pages of zoo animal pattern activities
• 7 pattern sets: AB, AAB, ABB, ABC, ABCD, AABB and ABAC
• 4 differentiated activities in each pattern set:
  • "I can copy a pattern": children duplicate the pattern shown on the zoo printable card
  • "I can continue a pattern": children choose the zoo animal or animals that come next in the pattern
  • "I can create a pattern" (with guidance): the pattern mat guides children with the pattern written on each square
  • "I can create a pattern" (independently): a blank pattern mat challenges children to create their own patterns and show mastery of that pattern level
• Zoo animal picture pieces, such as lions, monkeys, penguins, koalas and elephants

Check out the detailed preview!

Why Teachers Love It

• Built-in differentiation: Seven pattern levels and four ways to work with each one make it simple to give every child the right amount of challenge.
• A clear path forward: Children build on their skills by moving through the levels and patterns, from copying to creating on their own.
• Kid-friendly zoo theme: Animal pictures keep children excited to see which animal comes next.
• Flexible prep: Laminate the mats, slide them into write and wipe pockets or store everything in a file folder.
• Perfect for math centers: The sets work for learners at all stages of understanding patterns, so one center can serve the whole class.
• Preschool through 1st grade: Simple AB patterns support young learners, while ABCD and ABAC patterns stretch older children.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Copying patterns: Children match each animal in a pattern card to build the same pattern.
• Extending patterns: Children decide which zoo animal or animals come next.
• Creating patterns: Children build their own patterns, first with the pattern written on each square and then on a blank mat.
• Identifying the pattern core: Patterns such as AB, AAB, ABB, ABC, ABCD, AABB and ABAC help children notice the part that repeats.
• Visual discrimination: Children look closely at each animal to keep the pattern going.
• Early algebraic thinking: Letter patterns such as AB and ABC connect pictures to a simple pattern rule.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Maintaining attention
• Making and checking predictions
• Working independently
• Communicating choices
• Building confidence

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the pattern sets you need and laminate them, or slide the mats into write and wipe pockets if you'd rather not laminate. Cut apart the zoo animal pieces.

Step 2: Model one pattern together. Say the animal names aloud, point to the part that repeats and show children how to copy or continue it.

Step 3: Set the activities out in math centers or small groups. Children progress through the levels and patterns, from copying to continuing to creating patterns with guidance and then independently.

Materials You'll Need

• Laminator or write and wipe pockets
• File folders and Velcro dots (optional, for a file folder activity)

File Folder Tip

You can create a file folder activity with the zoo printables! Attach a pattern mat to the inside of a file folder. Use Velcro dots to store the images in the folder and on the pattern mats to complete the task.

Easy Differentiation

Every child is at a different stage in understanding patterns. This zoo animal pattern set makes it simple to meet each child right where they are.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with the AB pattern set
• Begin with "I can copy a pattern" before moving to continuing a pattern
• Say the pattern aloud together, such as "lion, monkey, lion, monkey"
• Offer only the animal pieces needed for one pattern

For On-Level Practice

• Work with AAB, ABB and AABB patterns
• Continue each pattern by choosing the animals that come next
• Use the guided "I can create a pattern" mats with the pattern written on each square

For an Extra Challenge

• Move to the ABC, ABCD and ABAC pattern sets
• Use the blank "I can create a pattern" mats to build patterns independently
• Ask children to name the pattern rule using letters, such as ABB
• Have a partner continue a pattern another child created

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice zoo animal names while placing each piece
• Build fine motor skills by picking up and placing the small picture pieces
• Use Velcro dots so pieces stay in place on the mats
• Give extra processing time and model each level before children begin

Perfect For

• Math centers
• Small groups
• Zoo and animal themes
• File folder activities
• Intervention
• Early finishers
• Special education classrooms
• Homeschool preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade

Standards

These zoo animal pattern activities support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines, Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021) and the Virginia Math SOL (2023) for kindergarten and 1st grade:

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.E.3: Recognize, copy, extend and create patterns, such as the AB and ABB zoo animal patterns.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS CD3.4: Sort, classify and pattern with zoo animal pictures.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.a: Identify and describe the core found in repeating patterns, such as the lion and monkey in an AB pattern.
• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.b: Extend a repeating pattern by adding at least two complete repetitions of the core.
• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.c: Create and describe a repeating pattern using pictures.
• VA SOL Math 1.PFA.1.a: Identify and describe repeating patterns at every level from AB to ABAC.
• VA SOL Math 1.PFA.1.c: Create repeating patterns using pictures on the blank pattern mats.

Grab the Zoo Animal Pattern Set and give every learner a pattern that fits, from AB to ABAC. Print the mats, set out the zoo animals and watch children copy, continue and create patterns with confidence. Add it to your cart today!

Download Details

This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

• On the "thank you" page after checkout
• In your email
• Anytime from your account: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account