Tired of using the same old patterning worksheets year after year?
If you're looking for a more engaging way to teach patterns in your primary classroom, you're in the right place. Worksheets can get the job done but often leave kids disengaged and don't always reflect true understanding. Let's explore more meaningful and active ways to teach patterning in first grade—ones that are fun, interactive, and rooted in real-world exploration.
Why Skip the Worksheets When Teaching Patterns?
While worksheets offer convenience, they don’t always promote deep understanding. Patterning is one of the first math concepts introduced in the primary grades, and it is the concept most students feel confident about. It's a great starting point because it sets students up for success.
Students need to physically create and identify patterns using tangible materials to internalize these concepts. Worksheets can limit that experience. Instead, integrate movement, creativity, and student choice into your patterning lessons.
Hands-On Patterning Activities That Make Math Stick
Here are some favourite hands-on strategies that make learning about patterns both effective and enjoyable:
1. Pattern Scavenger Hunt
Invite your students to hunt for patterns in the classroom or around the school. Look for repeating patterns in floor tiles, bulletin boards, clothing, or nature. Provide them with a simple recording sheet or have them document their findings using a digital tool like Seesaw.
Bonus Tip: Have students take pictures of the patterns they find and explain the type of pattern (e.g., AB, ABB, AAB) as part of their reflection.
2. Loose Parts Pattern Building
Grab baskets of loose parts like buttons, popsicle sticks, cubes, or math manipulatives. Play-Doh works great as well, and it is very motivating! Give students a challenge: create as many different pattern types as possible. Not only is this highly engaging, but it also supports creativity and problem-solving.
You can grab these pattern name strips by clicking on the image below!
3. Hands-On Activities
Clip cards are a great option. Students identify the next item in a pattern or the pattern name. These can be used independently or in pairs and are perfect for small group stations. Sorting patterns and discriminating between patterns is another important skill that you can address with hands-on activities. All of these activities and more are part of my hands-on patterning resource.
Clip cards - just add clothespins!
Sort patterns - Recording sheets are an option, but not necessary!
Make it cards challenge students to create more complex patterns!
Learn about pattern rules by matching patterns with the rule
Are worksheets all bad? NO, not at all. What can be problematic is over-relying on worksheets and not providing hands-on activities. So, absolutely throw in the occasional worksheet when it makes sense for you and your students, but make sure to provide even more time for hands-on work.
If you liked any of these activities, you can find them in this resource, including a few worksheets.
Technology Tips:
Use Seesaw for Documenting Hands-On Patterning
Seesaw is a fantastic tool to document student learning. Have students take pictures of their patterns, record their voices explaining what they built, and save them for assessment.
Using digital documentation motivates students to complete tasks and gives us a window into their understanding beyond pencil-and-paper tasks.
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(I am not affiliated with Seesaw, I simply love how simple the app is for my students and me). If you are interested in learning more about how the app works, my good friend Erin at Mrs. Beattie's Classroom has written a terrific post about setting up the app to use in the classroom. You can check out her post {
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Cross-Curricular Patterning Ideas
Tie in patterns during movement activities. There are so many great ones, especially on GoNoodle.
I love to create pattern art, too. The possibilities are endless for that. Here is a sample of art I have done with my class that uses patterns.
Final Thoughts: Let Go of the Worksheets
There’s a time and place for worksheets, but hands-on exploration is unmatched when it comes to teaching patterns. By encouraging students to build, find, and talk about patterns, you’re setting the stage for future math success.
So next time you plan your patterning unit, skip the stack of blackline masters and go for the manipulatives, scavenger hunts, and student-created learning instead!
Are you interested in a more hands-on approach to teaching geometry? Check out this post where I share hands-on ideas for 2D geometry.
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