The challenge in this problem comes from the fact that it is not a simple linear pattern but rather is built in several directions. So there are patterns within patterns, including a basic alphabetical sequence running from top-left to bottom-right.
<p>

It might be helpful to start with another example of this type of pattern, such as the one below.
<P>
<center>
 <img  src="<!--#echo var="directory" -->/lmtteach1-1.gif">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<img  src="<!--#echo var="directory" -->/lmtteach1-2.gif">
</center>
<p>
You show the completed grid and ask the children to find and describe patterns. Encourage them to look horizontally, vertically, diagonally and 'zig-zagging'.
<p>
Then remove some of the elements and ask the children to explain what is missing and how they know.
<p>
After tackling the original Hive Pattern problem, children could be asked to try making their own pattern grids.
<p>