Minds On

What are patterns?

A pattern is an arrangement of elements that follow a rule. A pattern rule helps describe to another person how a pattern repeats, grows, or shrinks. It includes things like the pattern core.

The pattern core is the smallest part of the pattern that repeats.

For example, the pattern 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 has a pattern core of 1, 2, 3.

If we were to describe this pattern to another person, how could we use the pattern core to help describe the pattern?

Press the 'Hint' button to reveal a suggested answer.

The pattern rule is repeat the core 1, 2, 3.

A geometric pattern; a big and a small square, a big and a small triangle, this repeats three times
  1. How would you describe the following pattern? What is the pattern rule?
  2. What do you think would come next in the pattern?
  3. What shape would be in the 15th position?

Acknowledgements(Opens in a new window)

Action

Pattern attributes

Patterns are everywhere! Remember that a pattern is an arrangement of elements that follow a rule. Examine the following patterns:

How would you describe each pattern? Press the 'Hint' button to reveal a suggested answer.

Each of the patterns have repeating attributes.

Attributes

Attributes are characteristics used to describe an object (e.g., size, colour, shape, etc.).

For example, the attributes in the following pattern are size and number.

A repeating pattern of 1,2. The one being smaller, 2 being larger.

If you were describing this pattern you would say:

  • small number one, big number two, small number one, big number two, small number one, big number two, small number one, big number two
  • the pattern core is small number one and big number two
  • the core repeats four times
  • the next element in the pattern would be a small number one
  • the attribute of size and number are changing

In this pattern, size is an attribute that would be used to describe the pattern.

Student tips

Anchor chart

Here is an anchor chart that lists some common attributes found in patterns.

This is an anchor chart titled “Patterning Attributes.” The chart is made up of 7 rows that illustrate the 7 common attributes found in patterns. The first and top row is colour. The example pattern is blue circle, blue circle, yellow circle… repeated 3 times. The second row is shape. The example pattern is triangle, square, square, square… repeated 3 times. The third row is size. The example pattern is big square, small square, small square… repeated 3 times. The fourth row is number. The example pattern is 2, 5, 3… repeated 3 times. The fifth row is letter. The example pattern is A, B, C, D… repeated 3 times. The sixth row is object. The example pattern is flower, sun, flower, sun, flower, sun. The seventh and bottom row is direction. The example pattern is smiley emojis in the upward, side, side direction repeated 3 times.

Create and share

Create various repeating patterns by completing the Repeating Patterns Table in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. Describe the attributes you used in the pattern rule and identify the pattern core that repeats. Think about creating some patterns that could be described by more than one attribute.

Repeating Patterns Table

Pattern

Pattern rule (shape, size, direction, color, object, number, letter)

Pattern core

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Repeating Patterns Table. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

The repeating pattern

Examine the following pattern.

Answer the questions and record your ideas using a format of your choice.

This is a pattern made up of 8 directional lines with pointed tips, also known as arrows. Each arrow starts at the pointed tip of the previous arrow. From left to right: There is an upward pointing arrow, then a right pointing arrow, then a downward pointing arrow, then a right pointing arrow, then an upward pointing arrow, then a right pointing arrow, then a downward pointing arrow, then a right pointing arrow.

  1. How would you describe this pattern?
  2. What is your pattern core?
  3. What attribute is changing in this pattern?
  4. What comes next in this pattern?

Creating patterns

Record your responses to the following tasks using a format of your choice.

Task 1

Let’s create a repeating pattern. Use the following list as a guide to help you create your patterns.

  1. Think about attributes. Your pattern must have two or more attributes that change. Think about which attributes will be changing (size, shape, direction, color, number, letter.)
  2. Create the pattern. Make sure to repeat the pattern core at least three times.
  3. Remember and describe your pattern rule. What is your pattern core?
  4. Extend the pattern. What comes next in your pattern?

Task 2

At times, when we examine repeating patterns, we can find other attributes that repeat.

Complete the July Repeating Pattern Table in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

J

U

L

Y

J

U

L

Y

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access July Repeating Pattern Table. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Notice that the letter J appears in position one and five. Every fourth letter is the letter J. We also notice that the word July repeats, the core is July.

  1. Which letter would be in the 12th position? In the 15th position?
  2. How did you figure this out? Explain your thinking.

Task 3

Let’s examine various hundred charts. In these examples, we will find skip counting patterns. We use skip counting when counting, multiplying, or adding up groups. In these instances, the amount added is always the same.

Now that you have finished examining the hundred charts, record answers to the following questions in a format of your choice.

  • Describe the patterns you notice on each of the hundred charts.
  • Can you find any other patterns on each chart?

Consolidation

Skip patterns

The following pattern is a skip pattern of two.

What are the next three numbers in this pattern?

2

4

6

8

10

Complete the patterns

Complete the following fillable and printable document Unfinished Patterns. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or using the method of your choice. When you have finished, create your own skip pattern. If possible, ask someone to give it a try.


  1. 5

    10

    15

    20

    25

    What is the pattern rule?


  2. 4

    8

    12

    16

    What is the pattern rule?


  3. 48

    42

    36

    30

    24

    What is the pattern rule?


  4. 35

    29

    23

    17

    What is the pattern rule?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Unfinished Patterns. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

You can also use the following Hundred Chart or another tool to help support your understanding.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.