Are Patterns What You Think They Are?

It’s likely that you know a lot more AND a lot less about patterns than you think you do!

I was always a bit of a “math geek,” but what I have learned about patterns has opened my eyes to whole new dimensions of the world we live in.

In the movie “A Beautiful Mind” there is a scene where Russell Crowe’s character looks up at the night sky and illustrates all the beautiful patterns he can see. How great it would be to see the world that way! What a gift!

Anyone that has seen this movie remembers that scene. It seems to demonstrate our love, and our REAL connection with pattern. The truth is we all have a beautiful mind!

This is essentially author Malcolm Gladwell’s premise in his bestselling book “Blink- The Power of Thinking without Thinking.” Gladwell brought to light exactly how our first impressions and our intuitions are actually our amazing and natural gift of being able to instantly decode and process patterns.

Patterns in Children’s Learning and Education

Have you ever watched a child who is new to a situation stand on the sidelines observing before making his or her foray into the group? Consciously or unconsciously they are likely trying to figure out what is going on. What are the rules and the hierarchy that this group is abiding by? If they see a certain interaction once, it may be random, but see it a few times and it forms a pattern for which the child is able to determine what the “social norms” are.

I said “children” but come to think of it, that’s what adults do, too.   

Patterns in Student Test Taking

One long-held test taking strategy that teachers have taught students for generations confirms the theories that Malcolm Gladwell explores in his book. “Don’t change your original answer unless you are positive that it is wrong.” Basically, you saw a pattern that your brain was drawn to, so trust it unless you are absolutely sure otherwise.

When most people think of pattern, they either think of math or art. The truth is that these two subject areas are just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to the fascinating world of pattern. Exploring pattern across the curriculum can truly breathe new life into old curriculum!