20-Page Kids Puzzle Book

Shapes and Colors That Repeat

A pattern is a design that follows a rule. The rule might repeat shapes, colors, or both. For example, a red circle followed by a blue square can repeat again and again:

red circle, blue square, red circle, blue square

To find what comes next, look for the smallest group that repeats. That group is called the pattern unit. Check the shapes first, then check the colors. Sometimes the shape stays the same while the color changes. Sometimes both change together.

Use these steps when you study a picture pattern:

1. Look from left to right.

2. Name each shape and color.

3. Circle the smallest group that repeats.

4. Copy that group once more.

5. Choose or draw the next picture.

Key takeaway: A repeating pattern has a rule, and the next picture must follow that rule.

Try not to guess from only the last picture. Compare several pictures. In this pattern, ▲ ● ▲ ●, the repeating unit is ▲ ●. The next shape is ▲ because the unit starts again.

Patterns can have three or more parts, too. A pattern such as yellow star, yellow star, green heart repeats in groups of three. Finding the group makes a tricky row much easier.

Guided Practice: Build the Next Picture

Materials needed: pencil, crayons or colored pencils, and a ruler

Time required: 10-15 minutes

You’ll make a pattern, find its repeating unit, and continue it. Draw each symbol about 2 centimeters wide so your row has room.

1. Draw this pattern in a row: red circle, blue square, red circle, blue square.

2. Put a small box around the first repeating unit.

3. Write the repeating unit here: ______

4. Draw the next two pictures. Color them correctly.

5. Now copy this second pattern: green triangle, yellow star, yellow star, green triangle, yellow star, yellow star.

6. Box the smallest group that repeats.

7. Write the repeating unit here: ______

8. Draw the next three pictures.

9. Create your own pattern using two shapes and two colors. Make at least eight pictures.

10. Underline the repeating unit. Ask a partner or grown-up to cover the last two pictures. Draw what belongs there.

11. Check your work. You are finished when each new picture matches the same repeating unit.

Completed example

> Pattern: red circle, blue square, red circle, blue square

> Repeating unit: red circle, blue square

> Next two pictures: red circle, blue square

Your Turn

Complete each row. Write the missing shape or color before you draw it.

A.

red heart, yellow heart, red heart, yellow heart, __, __

Missing pictures: _________

B.

blue triangle, blue triangle, green circle, blue triangle, blue triangle, green circle, __

Missing picture: __________

C.

purple star, orange square, purple star, orange square, __, __

Missing pictures: _________

Now make one “almost pattern.” Change one picture so the pattern is no longer correct.

Pattern: _____________

Changed picture: __________

What should the changed picture be? ________

Check your answers by reading the row aloud. If the same group repeats from beginning to end, your pattern works. If one picture breaks the rhythm, fix that picture and try again.

Apply Patterns to Everyday Things

Repeating patterns show up in places you already know. A tiled floor might use black square, white square, black square, white square. A bracelet might repeat red bead, blue bead, green bead. A shirt could have a stripe, dot, stripe, dot design. The pictures may look different, but the job is the same: find the repeating unit.

Try this quick pattern hunt at home or outside. Find three patterns in five minutes. Look at floor tiles, fence posts, wrapping paper, socks, plates, or building decorations. For each one, record the repeating shapes or colors. You’re done when you have three examples and can point out the smallest repeating group in each.

Apply It

Here’s another useful challenge. Pack five objects in a row, such as a pencil, eraser, pencil, eraser, pencil. Ask someone to remove the last object. Predict what belongs there. Then check your answer. The expected outcome is one correct prediction based on the repeating unit, not a guess based only on the object before the gap.

Patterns also help with sorting and designing. If you’re making a paper chain, repeat blue link, yellow link, yellow link. If you’re lining up toy cars, repeat small car, large car....