Students will recognize, create, and extend simple repeating patterns using shapes, understanding that patterns have a predictable sequence that repeats.

A pattern is something that repeats in a predictable way. In shape patterns, shapes repeat in the same order over and over.

Example: Circle-Square-Circle-Square-Circle-Square

The "Circle-Square" part repeats!

Patterns are everywhere:
- Nature (flower petals, tree branches)
- Music (rhythms repeat)
- Daily routines (wake, eat, play, sleep - repeats each day)
- Art and design
- Mathematics (numbers have patterns)

Understanding patterns helps children:
- Predict what comes next
- Organize information
- Develop logical thinking
- Recognize order and structure
- Build algebraic thinking foundation

AB Patterns (Two Elements)

Simplest pattern - two things alternating:
- Circle-Square-Circle-Square
- Triangle-Rectangle-Triangle-Rectangle
- Red circle-Blue circle-Red circle-Blue circle

AAB Patterns (Two of One, One of Another)

• Circle-Circle-Square-Circle-Circle-Square
• Triangle-Triangle-Rectangle-Triangle-Triangle-Rectangle

ABB Patterns

• Circle-Square-Square-Circle-Square-Square
• Triangle-Rectangle-Rectangle-Triangle-Rectangle-Rectangle

ABC Patterns (Three Elements)

More complex - three different things:
- Circle-Square-Triangle-Circle-Square-Triangle
- Red-Blue-Green-Red-Blue-Green

AABB Patterns

• Circle-Circle-Square-Square-Circle-Circle-Square-Square

Start with Movement Patterns

Before shape patterns, practice with movements:
- Clap-Stomp-Clap-Stomp
- Stand-Sit-Stand-Sit
- Jump-Touch toes-Jump-Touch toes

Children can feel the rhythm of patterns!

Use Sound Patterns

• "Beep-Boop-Beep-Boop"
• Drum-Whistle-Drum-Whistle
• "La-La-Di-La-La-Di"

Patterns become auditory!

Move to Visual Patterns

Now introduce shape patterns:
- Start with concrete shapes (blocks, manipulatives)
- Then pictures
- Then abstract representations

Progress from Simple to Complex

Week 1-2: AB patterns only
Week 3-4: AAB and ABB patterns
Week 5+: ABC patterns (if ready)

Don't rush! Pattern understanding takes time.

Emphasize the "Core" or "Unit"

"The part that repeats is Circle-Square. See? It repeats! Circle-Square, Circle-Square, Circle-Square!"

Help children identify what part is repeating.

Copy the Pattern

• Teacher creates pattern
• Child copies it with own shapes
• Check together
• Start with short patterns (2-3 repetitions)

Extend the Pattern

• Teacher starts: Circle-Square-Circle-Square
• "What comes next?"
• Child adds next piece
• "How do you know?"

Fix the Pattern

• Create pattern with one mistake
• "Something's wrong! Can you find it?"
• Child identifies and fixes error
• "How did you know that was wrong?"

Create Your Own

• "Make your own pattern!"
• Start with AB patterns
• Share with class
• Others extend it

Pattern Hunt

• Find patterns around classroom/school
• Floor tiles
• Decorations
• Clothing (stripes)
• Calendar
• Document findings

Pattern Dance

• Create movement pattern
• Perform in circle
• Others join and continue pattern
• "Step-Clap-Step-Clap"

Pattern Necklaces

• String beads in patterns
• Wear creations
• Describe patterns: "I made red-blue-red-blue!"

Pattern Tower Building

• Stack blocks in color/shape patterns
• How tall before it falls?
• Document pattern used

Pattern Story

• Tell story with patterns
• "First the circle visited the square, then another circle visited another square..."
• Act out with shapes

Musical Pattern

• Create sound patterns
• Play with instruments
• Others continue the pattern
• "Drum-Drum-Shake-Drum-Drum-Shake"

Manipulatives

• Pattern blocks (various shapes)
• Colored blocks
• Shape tiles
• Attribute blocks
• Linking cubes
• Beads and string
• Buttons

Visual Materials

• Shape cards
• Shape stamps
• Stickers
• Cutout shapes
• Colored paper shapes

Recording Materials

• Paper
• Crayons/markers
• Glue
• Pattern worksheets
• Camera (to document)

Not seeing the pattern unit
Child sees individual pieces, not the repeating unit.

Solution: Box or circle the repeating part. "This is the part that repeats! See it again here? And here?"

Continuing randomly
"Just putting shapes next" without seeing pattern.

Solution: Point to each piece while saying pattern aloud. Make it rhythmic.

Creating a "pattern" that doesn't repeat
Lining up shapes but no repetition.

Solution: "Let's check - does this part repeat? I see circle-square, but then triangle. Let's make it repeat!"

Difficulty with AAB or ABB patterns
They mastered AB but struggle with more complex.

Solution: Go slowly. Lots of practice with AB first. Don't rush to complexity.

Only using two shapes in ABC patterns
Forgets the third element.

Solution: Use three very different shapes initially. "Remember, three different shapes!"

Mastery indicators:
- Recognizes when shapes form a pattern
- Identifies what comes next
- Copies patterns accurately
- Extends patterns correctly
- Creates own patterns (at least AB)
- Explains the pattern: "It goes circle-square, circle-square"
- Finds and fixes pattern errors
- Recognizes patterns in environment

Support:
- Start with AB patterns only
- Use very different shapes (circle vs. square, not square vs. rectangle)
- Use very different colors
- Make patterns shorter (2-3 repetitions)
- Copy patterns before creating own
- Use concrete manipulatives (not just pictures)
- Hand-over-hand help if needed
- Say pattern aloud while building
- Use rhythm and music

Extension:
- AAB, ABB, ABC, AABB patterns
- Longer patterns before repetition shows
- Create growing patterns (one, two, three circles)
- Use multiple attributes (shape AND color)
- Create complex patterns: red circle-blue square-yellow triangle
- Translate patterns (movement to shape, shape to color)
- Find patterns in numbers
- Create border patterns
- Make symmetrical patterns

Families can help:
- Point out patterns at home
- Stripes on clothing
- Tiles on floor
- Decorations
- Create patterns together
- Pattern with toys, food (red grape-green grape)
- Clapping patterns
- "What comes next?" games
- Make pattern necklaces
- Notice patterns on walks

Pattern recognition is foundational for:
- Algebra: Functions are patterns
- Number sense: Number sequences are patterns
- Operations: Skip counting patterns (2, 4, 6, 8)
- Geometry: Tessellations and designs
- Measurement: Calendar patterns
- Data: Graphs show patterns

Patterns are truly foundational!

Music: Rhythm patterns, song structure
Art: Design patterns, decorative elements
Science: Day/night pattern, seasons, life cycles
Literacy: Story structure (problem-solution repeating)
Physical Education: Movement sequences
Social Studies: Routines, traditions (patterns over time)

Nature:
- Flower petals arranged in patterns
- Tree branches
- Animal markings (stripes, spots)
- Honeycomb
- Seasons

Architecture:
- Windows on buildings
- Floor tiles
- Brick patterns
- Fence posts

Clothing/Textiles:
- Stripes
- Polka dots
- Plaids
- Decorative trims

Daily Life:
- Daily schedule
- Weekly routine
- Traffic light patterns
- Crosswalk patterns

Key Words

• Pattern: Something that repeats
• Repeat: Happening again and again
• Next: What comes after
• Same: Not different
• Different: Not the same
• Unit: The part that repeats
• Core: The part that repeats (same as unit)

Describing Patterns

• "Goes like..."
• "Repeats"
• "Over and over"
• "The same way each time"
• "Alternating" (advanced)

Thinking any arrangement is a pattern

Truth: A pattern must repeat predictably.

Thinking patterns must start at the beginning

Truth: You can start reading a pattern anywhere! Circle-Square-Circle-Square-Circle-Square

Thinking you need many repetitions to have a pattern

Truth: Even two repetitions show the pattern (though more is clearer).

Not recognizing patterns in different materials
Sees circle-square-circle-square with blocks, but not red-blue-red-blue with beads.

Truth: Pattern concept transfers across materials!

• "What comes next?"
• "How do you know?"
• "Can you tell me the pattern?"
• "What part repeats?"
• "Can you say it with me?" (rhythm)
• "Is this a pattern? How do you know?"
• "What would come if we kept going?"
• "Can you find the mistake?"
• "Can you make a different pattern?"

• Make patterns rhythmic and fun
• Use body and voice first
• Concrete before abstract
• Start simple (AB patterns)
• Practice, practice, practice
• Point to each element while saying pattern
• Have children verbalize patterns
• Let children teach each other
• Find patterns everywhere
• Celebrate pattern discoveries
• Be patient - this concept takes time
• Make it multisensory
• Connect to their interests

• Photograph patterns created
• Keep pattern journals
• Display patterns on wall
• Create class pattern book
• Video children explaining patterns
• Save necklaces and constructions
• Document patterns found on walks

Growing Patterns

Pattern increases:
- One block, two blocks, three blocks
- Getting bigger each time

Shrinking Patterns

Pattern decreases:
- Three blocks, two blocks, one block

Symmetrical Patterns

Same on both sides:
- Red-Blue-Green-Green-Blue-Red

(Introduce only if children master basic patterns)

• Patterns in traditional textiles
• Patterns in architecture worldwide
• Patterns in cultural celebrations
• Patterns in traditional music
• Universal nature of patterns

Pattern recognition:
- Predicts outcomes: "What happens next?"
- Organizes information: Seeing structure
- Develops logic: If-then thinking
- Builds algebra foundation: Functions and sequences
- Enhances problem-solving: Recognizing structures
- Supports literacy: Story patterns, phonics patterns

Patterns are one of the most important early math concepts!

• Use children's interests (dinosaurs, vehicles, characters)
• Make it a game
• Create together
• Let children be pattern leaders
• Use humor (silly sound patterns)
• Make it collaborative
• Connect to stories
• Use technology (apps) if available
• Make it a daily routine
• Celebrate creativity

Pattern work is early algebra:
- Recognizing structure
- Predicting based on rules
- Understanding functions (input-output)
- Generalizing

Children working with patterns are building algebraic reasoning skills that will serve them throughout their mathematical education!

Patterns are everywhere in our world. When children learn to recognize and create patterns, they learn to see order, structure, and predictability. They develop the foundation for logical thinking and mathematical reasoning. Make pattern work joyful, hands-on, and connected to their lives, and you'll build powerful mathematical thinkers!