OK, this is ridiculous.
I thought it wouldn’t be until my son was in high school that he’d have homework that stumped me. Turns out his kindergarten assignment was all it took.
Yes, I was confused by work assigned to a kindergartener.
I’m going to post a copy of it below. I’m curious how YOU interpret the instructions, because I was stumped.
By the way, I’m going to feel VERY stupid if everyone immediately gets this!
My wife, who was out to dinner with friends, finally came home and helped us both.
I’ll update this with the solution tomorrow or Saturday. That is assuming everyone BUT ME doesn’t get it.
Make sure you click on the image to see the page full size and then read the directions at the bottom.
And then leave a comment and tell me how you would answer question 1. Or specifically what you would do.
AND DO NOT REPEAT the directions verbatim. That won’t count! 🙂
UPDATE:
Since there was some debate in the comments, and I feel a bit relieved that you all at least understood my confusion, here’s how it’s supposed to be done.
I have been told that the above is CORRECT.
For the record, THIS is how I would have interpreted it:
I would have circled the second set, because that is where the pattern TRULY repeats. And the last part, “Circle the group of tiles to show the part that repeats” seemed an odd choice of words. The “part that repeats?” Well, there’s a few ways to take that. Is a part made up of the three people, which are called a pattern the first time? And if it IS three people, would you not circle it each time it repeats? The directions seem like they were written by the people who write the directions to the toys I have to assemble on Christmas morning.
David W. Wright 
Yes, the directions are ambiguous. Choose your own system. I would probably go 123, 123, 123 — 12, 12, 12, — 112, 112, 112. But you can use the alphabet or whatever. Are you just trying to make us feel good now? I’m not sure how good I feel about completing this kindergarten homework.
I understand WHERE the pattern repeats. But what confused me is what my son should circle and the coloring of the tiles, specifically. What would you circle? What would you color, and how? THOSE are the tricky parts (to me, anyway).
That is funny. Both of my kids had these type of assignments. The kids always got the patterns. 1st one is A-B-C, A-B-C, etc. 2nd one is A-B, A-B, A-B, etc. and 3rd one is A-A-B, A-A-B, A-A-B, etc. You can take it from there hopefully. 🙂
I agree that the directions are unclear, and I would number the patterns in the boxes. I would circle each group that represents the pattern–the child in a chair, standing, and on the floor–as a group. And I guess circle the tiles as well. I teach 8th grade, and I would seriously make less steps, or simplify what I wanted them to do! I remember I played a lot in kindergarten–it sure has changed! ; )
Ok, that is just freaking insane! #1 the whole pattern repeats in groups of 3, so I’d color in all the tiles and circle each group of 3. Same for #3. For #2, I’d color the 1st 5 tiles and circle tiles 1,2,3 as a group and 3,4,5 as another group. But I can bet I just failed kindergarten! Directions make no damn sense!
Telling the kids to do all these things will show them that there is different ways to answer the same question.
I’d circle each pattern and color the corresponding tiles in a different color for each pattern. Hell, I don’t know…I guess I just failed kindergarten…that’s some freaking weird directions! You know you’re going to have to post the answers, right? Did Mama Wright roll her eyes and IMMEDIATELY complete the assignment? (Probably, cause most Moms are good at that!)
But guys, it says to COLOR the tiles, not put letters or numbers in them. So, would you use matching colors to designate the pattern?
Hi David,
Would you like to come in to kindergarten and explain it to 21 children when you figure it out?
Ha! Is this my son’s teacher? Maybe you can tell me if I got it right. I updated the post to show the answer as my wife explained it should be done.
Very good work David! You get a star!
Or should I give the star to Your amazing wife?
Yeah, she gets it. I was stumped. I would have circled the second set, because that is where the pattern TRULY repeats. And the last part, “Circle the group of tiles to show the part that repeats” seemed an odd choice of words. The “part that repeats?” Well, there’s a few ways to take that. Is a part made up of the three people, which are called a pattern the first time? And if it IS three people, would you not circle it each time it repeats? The directions seem like they were written by the people who write the directions to the toys I have to assemble on Christmas morning.
I think that you are all correct. I think it is a good exercise to see how differently people see and interpret things. Maybe that is all it is about to figure out how to relate to each kid.
Or not. 😉