Exploring Tricky Patterns!

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Exploring Tricky Patterns!

What do you already know about repeating patterns?

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to spot, explain and make more complicated repeating patterns.

What is a Pattern?

A pattern is something that repeats in the same way again and again. It can use colours, shapes, or objects!

Simple Patterns We Know

Remember AB patterns? Like red, blue, red, blue. Or AABB? Like yellow, yellow, green, green.

Let's Look at a Trickier Pattern

What do you notice about this? Can you say the rule? My pattern is a ...

Describe the Pattern Rule

When you see a pattern, look for what repeats. For example: red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow. This repeats in threes!

Can You Explain This Pattern?

What would you call this pattern? How do you know? Try to say the rule out loud.

Try Making Your Own Pattern

Use cubes or counters in lots of colours. Can you make a pattern with more than two colours or shapes?

Patterns Around a Frame

Place one item in each space around the edge. Try filling the whole edge with your pattern. Does it fit exactly?

What If It Doesn't Fit Exactly?

Some patterns fill the frame perfectly and some don't. If it doesn't, why might that be? Let's try changing the pattern or the number of spaces.

Let's Investigate Together

Work with your friends! Try different patterns and frames. Which patterns fit exactly around your frame? Share what you find.

Explaining Your Rule

Use this frame: 'My pattern is a ... pattern. I know because ... The rule is ...' Try to use these words when telling the class about your pattern.

Show and Tell

Let's see what patterns everyone made! Who made the longest? Who used the most colours? What was your rule?

Well Done Pattern Explorers!

You explored lots of tricky patterns today. Next time, we'll try even bigger patterns!

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.