Instructions: Look at the pattern and continue it for 3 more shapes.
Repeating pattern: A sequence that repeats the same group of elements over and over.
- Look at the sequence to find the repeating unit
- Identify what elements repeat (the core pattern)
- Continue the sequence by repeating the same unit
- Verify that your continuation follows the same rule
The pattern repeats: 🌟⭐ (star followed by star)
The unit 🌟⭐ appears 3 times in the given sequence
After the last ⭐, continue with the same unit: 🌟⭐🌟
The completed pattern is: 🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟
• Repeating pattern: The same sequence of elements repeats
• Core unit: The smallest group that repeats
• Continuation: Follow the same sequence to extend
Instructions: Look at how the pattern grows and continue it for 3 more steps.
Growing pattern: A sequence where each term increases by a consistent rule (adds more elements).
Step 1: 1 triangle
Step 2: 2 triangles
Step 3: 3 triangles
Each step adds 1 more triangle than the previous step
Step 4: 4 triangles → △△△△
Step 5: 5 triangles → △△△△△
Step 6: 6 triangles → △△△△△△
The completed growing pattern is: △, △△, △△△, △△△△, △△△△△, △△△△△△
• Growing pattern: Each term increases following a rule
• Increment rule: Add a consistent amount each time
• Sequential growth: Each step builds on the previous
Continue the pattern for 6 more elements.
Instructions: Make it either a repeating or growing pattern and explain your rule.
Pattern creation: Designing a sequence with a consistent rule that others can follow.
Decide whether to make a repeating or growing pattern
For this example: 🐶🐱🐶 (dog, cat, dog)
Repeat the core unit: 🐱🐶🐱🐶🐱 (cat, dog, cat, dog, cat)
The created repeating pattern is: 🐶, 🐱, 🐶, 🐱, 🐶, 🐱, 🐶, 🐱, 🐶
Rule: Repeat the sequence: dog, cat, dog
• Pattern creation: Design a consistent rule
• Repetition: Repeat the same sequence to extend
• Clarity: Make the rule clear for others to follow
Definition: A sequence of shapes, numbers, or objects that follows a rule.
Types: Repeating and Growing
Definition: A sequence that repeats the same group of elements over and over.
Example: 🔵🔴🔵🔴 (blue-red repeats)
Definition: A sequence that increases following a consistent rule.
Example: △, △△, △△△ (adds one triangle each time)
Definition: The smallest group that repeats in a pattern.
Example: In 🔵🔴🔵🔴, the core unit is 🔵🔴
Pattern Rule: Every pattern follows a consistent rule that determines the sequence
Repetition Principle: Repeating patterns have a core unit that repeats indefinitely
Growth Principle: Growing patterns increase following a consistent increment rule
- Observe the sequence: Look at all elements in the pattern
- Identify the type: Determine if it's repeating or growing
- Find the rule: Figure out what changes or stays the same
- Apply the rule: Use the rule to extend the pattern
- Verify: Check that your extension follows the same rule
• Repeating: 🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴 (same sequence repeats)
• Growing: △, △△, △△△ (adds 1 each time)
• Number: 2, 4, 6, 8 (adds 2 each time)
• Alternating: A, B, A, B, A, B (switches between two elements)
Example 1 (Repeating): 🔵🔴🔵🔴 → Core: 🔵🔴
Example 2 (Growing): □, □□, □□□ → Adds 1 square each time
Example 3 (Repeating): 🌞🌙🌞 → Core: 🌞🌙
Example 4 (Complex Repeating): 🔵🔴🔺🔵🔴🔺 → Core: 🔵🔴🔺
Example 5 (Growing by 2s): ⬜, ⬜⬜⬜, ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ → Adds 2 each time
Example 6 (Alternating): 1, A, 2, B, 3, C → Alternates numbers and letters
- Look for cycles: In repeating patterns, identify the cycle length
- Count differences: In growing patterns, count how much increases each time
- Check for alternation: See if elements switch back and forth
- Verify with next term: Test your rule against the next known term
• Complete: 🔴🔵🔴___ (repeating pattern)
• Complete: ⬛, ⬛⬛, ⬛⬛⬛, ___ (growing pattern)
• Complete: 🌸🌸🌻🌸🌸___ (complex repeating)
• Complete: 5, 10, 15, ___ (growing by 5s)
• Complete: 🎂🎈🎂___ (repeating pattern)
• Complete: ▲, ▲▲▲, ▲▲▲▲▲, ___ (growing by 2s)
Pattern: A sequence that follows a rule
Repeating pattern: A sequence that repeats the same group
Growing pattern: A sequence that increases by a rule
Core unit: The smallest repeating group
- Recognize the pattern: Identify if it's repeating or growing
- Find the rule: Determine the consistent rule
- Apply the rule: Use the rule to extend the sequence
- Verify: Check that the extension follows the rule
• Repeating: Core unit determines the sequence
• Growing: Increment rule determines growth
• Alternating: Switches between two or more elements
• Numeric: Follows arithmetic progression
Questions & Answers
Question: How do I know if a pattern is repeating or growing?
Answer: Here's how to tell the difference:
- Repeating pattern: The same group of elements repeats over and over (like 🔵🔴🔵🔴🔵🔴)
- Growing pattern: The sequence gets larger each time (like △, △△, △△△)
Look for: In repeating patterns, elements cycle through the same sequence. In growing patterns, each step adds more elements or increases in some way.
Question: What if I can't figure out the pattern? What should I do?
Answer: If you're stuck on a pattern:
- Start simple: Look at just the first few elements
- Count elements: How many shapes, numbers, or objects are there?
- Look for cycles: Do you see the same group repeating?
- Try a guess: Make your best prediction and see if it fits
- Ask for help: Talk to a teacher or parent if you're still stuck
Sometimes patterns aren't obvious at first - that's normal! Keep looking for clues.
Question: How can I help my child practice patterns at home?
Answer: Here are fun ways to practice patterns at home:
- Household items: Use pasta, cereal, or toys to create patterns
- Art projects: Draw or color repeating/growing patterns
- Nature walks: Look for patterns in leaves, flowers, or tree rings
- Music: Clap or stomp out rhythmic patterns
- Cooking: Arrange food in pattern sequences
Keep practice sessions short (5-10 minutes) and positive. Make it a game rather than a chore!