Fibonacci numbers are a sequence in which each number is the sum of the previous two (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on). While scientists have observed biological examples of the Fibonacci numbers in leaf arrangements on a branch, scale patterns on pine cones, etc., children can have difficulty seeing tangible examples of the pattern.
The following projects give students in class or homeschool children a clearer perspective on Fibonacci numbers as they manipulate different art materials in a variety of configurations. You can also have pine cones and spiral seashells available so the children can compare what they are creating with how the pattern looks in nature.
Fibonacci Beaded Necklace
Each child will need a length of yarn or cording and crow or pony beads in a wide variety of colors. Children will string the beads onto the yarn in the pattern of Fibonacci numbers. Stick with one color for each number. You don’t need to have the numbers written out, allow the child to do the math.
The length of the necklace string will determine how far into the sequence the children can go. The goal of this project is to make children aware of how the number pattern came to be, by adding the two previous numbers.
Fibonacci in Nature
While the previous activity gives the children the pattern, it doesn’t necessarily help them see it in nature. For this project, twist together three-to-five chenille stems creating one long piece and then slid on pony beads in the Fibonacci sequence, changing color with each number. Add a kink at either end to prevent the beads from sliding off the stem.
Then, keeping the beads and chenille stems flat on the table, twist the configuration into a spiral. Have the children notice how the smaller numbers are in the center of the spiral and the quantity of beads increase as the spiral gets larger. What else do the children notice about the Fibonacci numbers when they aren’t just in a straight line?
Spiral Pattern
Each child will need a plastic Easter egg and color dot stickers. If possible, get as large a variety of color dot stickers as possible. If you are limited in color, rotate through the colors. Starting at the pointed end, place one sticker. Continue the series in a spiral around the egg, overlapping the stickers to cover the plastic egg. Stop when the egg is covered (even if you aren’t able to add the correct number of stickers for the final number in your sequence).
These three crafts allow children to create patterns using the Fibonacci numbers. By creating tangible projects, the children can see how the sequence of numbers changes visually, as represented with beads or stickers, on two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects.
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