Patterns - First Grade

1. Introduction to Patterns

Concept: A pattern is a design or arrangement that repeats in a predictable way. Patterns follow a rule!

What is a Pattern?

A pattern is when shapes, colors, numbers, or objects are arranged in a special order that repeats over and over again.

Types of Patterns We Learn:

1. Shape Patterns: Using different shapes

Example: ⭐ ⭕ ⭐ ⭕ ⭐ ⭕

2. Color Patterns: Using different colors

Example: 🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵

3. Size Patterns: Using different sizes

Example: Big, Small, Big, Small

4. Number Patterns: Using numbers in order

Example: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

Pattern Rule:

Every pattern follows a RULE. The rule tells us how the pattern repeats. Finding the rule helps us continue the pattern!

🎨 Example Pattern

Pattern Rule: Circle, Square, Circle, Square...

💡 Tip: Patterns are everywhere - in nature, on clothes, in music, and in buildings!

2. Find the Next Shape in a Pattern

Concept: Look at a pattern carefully, find the rule, and predict what comes next!

Steps to Find the Next Shape:

Step 1: Look at the pattern carefully

Step 2: Find what repeats (the rule)

Step 3: Count the pattern units

Step 4: Predict what comes next

📝 Example 1: AB Pattern

Pattern: 🔴 🟢 🔴 🟢 🔴 ?

Solution:

Rule: Red, Green (repeating)

The pattern goes: A-B-A-B-A

Next shape: 🟢 Green Circle

📝 Example 2: ABC Pattern

Pattern: ⭐ ⭕ 🔺 ⭐ ⭕ ?

Solution:

Rule: Star, Circle, Triangle (repeating)

The pattern goes: A-B-C-A-B

Next shape: 🔺 Triangle

💡 Tip: Say the pattern out loud - it helps you find the rule!

3. Complete a Pattern

Concept: Sometimes patterns have missing parts in the middle. We use the pattern rule to fill in the blanks!

How to Complete a Pattern:

Step 1: Look at the shapes before and after the blank

Step 2: Find the repeating pattern

Step 3: Figure out what's missing

Step 4: Fill in the blank with the correct shape

📝 Example: Missing Shape

Pattern: 🔵 ⬜ 🔵 🟡 🔵 ? 🔵 🟡

Solution:

Rule: Blue Circle, White Square, repeat

Pattern: Circle-Square-Circle-Yellow Square-Circle-?-Circle-Yellow Square

After Blue Circle comes White Square

Missing shape: ⬜ White Square

💡 Tip: Look at the shapes on both sides of the blank to help you find the answer!

4. Make a Pattern

Concept: Now it's your turn to be creative! Make your own patterns by choosing a rule and repeating it.

Steps to Make Your Own Pattern:

Step 1: Choose 2 or 3 shapes (or colors)

Step 2: Decide on a rule (AB, ABC, ABB, AAB, etc.)

Step 3: Arrange them in order following your rule

Step 4: Repeat the pattern at least 3 times

Common Pattern Types:

Pattern Type	Rule	Example
AB Pattern	A-B-A-B-A-B	🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵
ABC Pattern	A-B-C-A-B-C	⭐ 🔺 ⭕ ⭐ 🔺 ⭕
ABB Pattern	A-B-B-A-B-B	🟡 🟢 🟢 🟡 🟢 🟢
AAB Pattern	A-A-B-A-A-B	🔵 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔵 🔴

Pattern Making Ideas:

✓ Use blocks, beads, or buttons to create patterns

✓ Draw patterns with crayons or markers

✓ Make patterns with your body (clap, stomp, clap, stomp)

✓ Create patterns with sounds or musical instruments

💡 Tip: The more you repeat your pattern, the easier it is to see the rule!

5. Growing Patterns

Concept: A growing pattern is different! Instead of just repeating, something NEW is added each time. The pattern GROWS!

What Makes a Growing Pattern Special?

🔁 Repeating Pattern

Same thing repeats over and over

Example: 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔴

📈 Growing Pattern

Something is added each time

Example: 🔵 🔵🔵 🔵🔵🔵

📝 Example 1: Growing by 1

Pattern:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4 ?

Solution:

Rule: Add 1 more square each time

Step 1: 1 square

Step 2: 2 squares

Step 3: 3 squares

Step 4: 4 squares!

Growing Pattern Rules:

✓ Each step has MORE than the step before

✓ The pattern increases by a certain number

✓ Common growing rules: +1, +2, +5, +10

✓ The pattern gets bigger and bigger!

💡 Tip: Count how many more items are added each time to find the growing rule!

6. Find the Next Shape in a Growing Pattern

Concept: Look at how the pattern grows, find the rule, and predict what comes next!

Steps to Find Next in Growing Pattern:

Step 1: Count the shapes in each step

Step 2: Find how many are added each time

Step 3: That's your growing rule!

Step 4: Add that many to the last step

📝 Example: Growing by 2

Pattern:

1 circle

3 circles

5 circles

? circles

Solution:

Step 1: 1 circle

Step 2: 3 circles (added 2)

Step 3: 5 circles (added 2)

Rule: Add 2 circles each time

Step 4: 5 + 2 = 7 circles!

💡 Tip: Write down the numbers for each step to see the pattern more clearly!

7. Find the Next Row in a Growing Pattern

Concept: Sometimes growing patterns are arranged in rows. Each row grows following the same rule!

📝 Example: Staircase Pattern

Pattern Rows:

Row 1: 1 square

Row 2: 2 squares

Row 3: 3 squares

Row 4: ?

Solution:

Rule: Each row has one more square than the row above it

Row 1: 1 square

Row 2: 2 squares (1 + 1)

Row 3: 3 squares (2 + 1)

Row 4: 4 squares (3 + 1)

📝 Example 2: Triangle Pattern

Growing Triangle:

Solution:

Row 1: 1 circle

Row 2: 2 circles

Row 3: 3 circles

Rule: Add 1 circle to each new row

Row 4: 4 circles

💡 Tip: Look at each row from top to bottom to find how the pattern grows!

Pattern Types Quick Reference

Pattern Type	What It Does	Example
Repeating Pattern	Same sequence repeats	🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵 🔴 🔵
Growing Pattern	Gets bigger each time	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Important Pattern Vocabulary

Pattern: An arrangement that repeats in a predictable way
Rule: The instruction that tells how the pattern repeats
Repeat: To do something again and again
Sequence: The order in which things appear
Growing Pattern: A pattern that increases each time
Predict: To guess what comes next based on the pattern
Unit: The part of the pattern that repeats
Extend: To continue the pattern

🎯 Tips for Pattern Success 🎯

✓ Look for what repeats to find the pattern rule
✓ Say the pattern out loud - it helps you understand it!
✓ Use real objects to make patterns (blocks, buttons, toys)
✓ For growing patterns, count how many are added each time
✓ Draw or color patterns to practice
✓ Look for patterns in nature, music, and art!

⭐ You're a Pattern Expert! ⭐

Amazing work learning about patterns! You now know how to find, complete, and create both repeating and growing patterns. Patterns are everywhere around us - in buildings, nature, music, and art. Keep looking for patterns and you'll become an even better pattern detective. Great job!