Comment by Tech4Learning on October 9, 2009 at 12:24pm

You can also read the article on Iconic Pattern Play that Dr. Olds wrote with Dr. Walter Drew in the Spring 2009 issue of Creative Educator. See attached.
Iconic_Pattern_Play.pdf

Comment by Melinda Kolk on October 20, 2009 at 5:21pm

You can also see some of Henry's fabulous Pixie patterns at www.patternplayproject.com. His patterns were also featured in an art gallery show this past weekend!

Comment by Andrea Hernandez on January 24, 2010 at 11:41am

Thanks for the link to patteryplayproject. I have wanted to do some of these things with my students since I saw this presentation at NECC last summer. Believe it or not I am finally getting around to it.
I have a few questions....for anyone out there who may be doing this, has done it or is interested in using cameras, pattern blocks, Pixie, etc. with kids.
First question....is this video licensed under creative commons for remixing? I ask because I would like to screenshot just the steps with the pattern blocks to show my young students the progression without all the commentary.
Also, last week I had the first graders use pattern blocks and photograph their designs. The photographs didn't come out very good. I have to go through them, but I don't know if many will be usable as pattern pieces in Pixie. I like that part of the process, but I'm not sure how realistic it is depending on time constraints and age of students. I had some other ideas...one is to have students use pattern blocks on the computer first. Create designs with those and then screenshot and import into Pixie. Another idea I had, after seeing the pattern play project pages, was to ask if other teachers out there would want to create an online share folder of pattern pieces. That skips (or can skip) the step of having the child discover or design the initial pattern piece, but that step can always come at a later time (and the child can then also share his or her pattern pieces, too).

It would be great to hear from other teachers who are doing this to find out your strategies and ideas. Thanks.

Comment by Andrea Hernandez on January 25, 2010 at 8:37am

I posted a few pictures on my page. They were done by first graders. They used pattern blocks, took their own photos and then I cropped the photos and added them to Pixie. The wood grain of the table is visible in the photos, but it didn't seem to interfere with the creative exploration.

Comment by Tech4Learning on February 3, 2010 at 10:30am

Students can also find a folder full of pattern play pieces in the Objects folder in the Pixie stickers library!

Comment by Tech4Learning on March 10, 2010 at 7:23am

Here are some very basic instructions you can use to create pattern play with Pixie!how_pixie.pdf

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