What kind of patterns have you noticed? Great big ones or little teeny weeny tiny ones? Patterns hidden in natural wonders or patterns purloined from nature by men or women?  I'll bet you already know that patterns are very important to scientists and artists, but did you know that patterns are important to mathematicians too? In fact, there is an incredible amount of math hidden inside the tiniest pattern. Mathematicians have worked long and hard to discover what these patterns are, so they can understand the world around them.

Now it is your turn! What can you find out about the mysterious hidden math???

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Here's what you need to do:

The Task	The Process
First Step Choose a Pattern	Pick a partner. It needs to be someone in your class with whom you can work well. (Your teacher may decide to choose one for you.) Decide what kind of patterns you and your partner are interested in. You might want to look at the Patterns Research Page to help you decide. You can choose a subject that is not listed on the research page, but you must get prior teacher approval if you do.
Second Step Decide on Subtopics	With your partner, open up a new page in the software Inspiration or begin to create a web on a piece of paper. Put the title of your topic in the middle of the web. Brainstorm with your partner all the possible subtopics that you think might apply to your web. Review the rubric for this assignment, so you are sure you will have all the elements you need for your report. Include subtopics that you see on the rubric in your web. Print this out and go over it with your teacher. This web is a work in progress, so you will add to it as you find new subtopics as you research.
Third Step Research your topic	Begin gathering information for your topic. Be sure you use the sites included on the Patterns Research Page and at least two other sites. You must record the URL's of any sites you use. Feel free to use books or articles as well. Check in the library and the classroom for any good books on your topic. As you read, organize your information according to your subtopics. Add new subtopics as appropriate.
Fourth Step Write your rough draft	Complete the rough draft of your report. Be sure to refer to the rubric before you begin. Make sure each subtopic is represented by at least one paragraph. Be sure to put all information into your own words. Plagiarism is against the law!
Fifth Step Revise and Edit	Read your rough draft to yourself. All elements of CAREful revision must show on your rough draft. C: Change A: Add R: Rearrange E: Eliminate Errors Each partner must have his or her own rough draft! Your information may be the same, but your words may not be! Trade with your partner. Use PQP to review his or her work. Write your answers on his or her paper in a different color ink than he/she used and make a note on the paper of what color is yours. P: praise Q: question P: polish
Sixth Step The Creative Element	With your partner, prepare your creative element. Remember, the important word here is creative! Review the rubric one more time, to be sure you know what you should be doing. If you want to do something that is not on the list, make sure you get teacher approval.
Seventh Step Present Your Results	Before you get ready to hand in your final draft of your report and give your presentation to the class, be sure that you: Have completed the self assessment on your copy of the rubric. Are ready to answer any questions the class or teacher may have on your topic.

The End: Reflection Time!

 You have listened to reports on lots of different kinds of patterns. Write down four different ways in which the patterns you have heard about and the one you researched are related. Be prepared to share your ideas, because your class is going to use Inspiration software to brainstorm a web showing the relationships between the different kinds of patterns.