Patterns - Second Grade
What are Patterns?
Concept: A pattern is something that repeats or grows in a predictable way! Patterns are all around us in nature, art, and math.
What We'll Learn:
✓ Repeating patterns (same things over and over)
✓ Growing patterns (patterns that get bigger)
✓ Finding the next shape or number
✓ Completing and making patterns
💡 Tip: Look for what repeats or changes to find the pattern rule!
1. Repeating Patterns
Concept: A repeating pattern has a core (the part that repeats) that goes over and over again in the same order!
What is the CORE?
The CORE is the smallest part of the pattern that repeats. Once you find the core, you can predict what comes next!
📝 Examples of Repeating Patterns
Example 1: AB Pattern (2 elements repeat)
●
■
CORE
●
■
●
■
Core: ●■ (Red circle, Blue square)
Example 2: ABC Pattern (3 elements repeat)
●
■
★
CORE
●
■
★
Core: ●■★ (Circle, Square, Star)
Example 3: AAB Pattern (2 same, 1 different)
♥
♥
■
CORE
♥
♥
■
Core: ♥♥■ (Heart, Heart, Square)
Common Pattern Types:
• AB Pattern: Two elements alternate (red, blue, red, blue...)
• ABC Pattern: Three elements repeat (circle, square, star...)
• AAB Pattern: Two same, one different (big, big, small...)
• ABB Pattern: One different, two same (red, blue, blue...)
• AABB Pattern: Two pairs (cat, cat, dog, dog...)
💡 Tip: To find the core, look for the smallest part that repeats completely!
2. Growing Patterns
Concept: Growing patterns don't repeat exactly - they CHANGE in a predictable way! Each step gets bigger (or smaller).
Pattern Rule:
Growing patterns have a RULE that tells how the pattern changes. The rule might be "add 2 each time" or "add 1 more shape."
📝 Examples of Growing Patterns
Example 1: Growing Number Pattern (+2)
2
→
4
→
6
→
8
→
10
Rule: Add 2 each time (2 + 2 = 4, 4 + 2 = 6...)
Example 2: Growing Shape Pattern (Add 1 square)
Step 1
1 square
→
Step 2
2 squares
→
Step 3
3 squares
Rule: Add 1 square each time (1, 2, 3, 4...)
Example 3: Growing by 5s
5
→
10
→
15
→
20
Rule: Add 5 each time (skip count by 5s!)
Key Differences:
Repeating Pattern:
Same things over and over
Growing Pattern:
Changes by a rule (gets bigger/smaller)
💡 Tip: Find the rule by looking at what changes from one step to the next!
3. Find the Next Shape in a Pattern
Concept: Once we understand a pattern, we can predict what comes next!
Steps to Find the Next Shape:
Step 1: Look at the whole pattern
Step 2: Find the core or rule
Step 3: See what position the missing shape is in
Step 4: Continue the pattern to find what's next
📝 Practice Examples
Example: What comes next?
?
Solution:
Core: ●■ (Circle, Square)
Pattern: ●■●■●?
The pattern shows we alternate circle and square
■
Answer: Blue Square
💡 Tip: Count through the pattern using your fingers to track the core!
4. Complete a Repeating Pattern
Concept: Sometimes patterns have missing parts in the middle! We need to fill in the blanks to complete the pattern.
📝 Practice: Fill in the Missing Shapes
Example: Complete this pattern
?
?
Solution:
Core: ●■★ (Green circle, Orange square, Purple star)
After ★ comes ● (green circle)
After ● comes ■ (orange square)
Answer: Green Circle, Orange Square
💡 Tip: Write out the whole pattern with letters (A, B, C) to see what's missing!
5. Make a Repeating Pattern
Concept: Now you can create your own patterns! Choose a core and repeat it.
Steps to Make a Pattern:
Step 1: Choose what will repeat (your core)
Step 2: Decide the pattern type (AB, ABC, AAB, etc.)
Step 3: Repeat your core at least 3 times
Step 4: Check that it repeats correctly!
Pattern Ideas You Can Make:
Colors:
Red, Blue, Red, Blue...
Sizes:
Big, Small, Big, Small...
Shapes:
●■▲●■▲...
Actions:
Clap, Stomp, Clap, Stomp...
Letters:
A, B, C, A, B, C...
Mixed:
Red ●, Blue ■, Red ●...
💡 Tip: Make patterns with everyday objects - toys, clothes, snacks!
6. Find the Next Row in a Growing Pattern
Concept: Growing patterns often build in rows. Each row follows the pattern rule!
📝 Visual Example: Staircase Pattern
What comes in Row 4?
Row 1:
1
Row 2:
1
2
Row 3:
1
2
3
Row 4:
?
Solution:
Row 1 has 1 block
Row 2 has 2 blocks
Row 3 has 3 blocks
Pattern Rule: Each row has same number of blocks as row number
1
2
3
4
Answer: Row 4 has 4 blocks
💡 Tip: Draw the pattern to see how it grows from one row to the next!
Pattern Rules Summary
Repeating Pattern
Find the CORE
↓
Repeat it over and over
Growing Pattern
Find the RULE
↓
Apply it to each step
Finding What's Next
Identify pattern
↓
Continue the rule
🎯 Tips for Pattern Success 🎯
- ✓ Look for what repeats or changes consistently
- ✓ Circle or highlight the core in repeating patterns
- ✓ For growing patterns, ask "What's different from one step to the next?"
- ✓ Use letters (A, B, C) to label pattern parts
- ✓ Look for patterns everywhere - in nature, buildings, music!
- ✓ Practice making your own patterns with toys and objects
⭐ You're a Pattern Expert! ⭐
Fantastic work learning about patterns! You now understand repeating patterns with cores, growing patterns with rules, can find what comes next, complete missing parts, create your own patterns, and predict the next row in growing patterns. Patterns are everywhere in math, nature, art, and music. Keep your eyes open and you'll see patterns all around you! You're doing amazing work!