Become a shape architect! Learn to combine shapes to make bigger shapes, break shapes apart, and create amazing patterns. Discover pattern rules and find patterns everywhere around you! 🎨✨
Discover how shapes combine and create amazing patterns!
Learn to combine small shapes to make bigger shapes!
🖱️ Drag options below to the correct boxes (computer) or click to move (mobile)
Practice completing shape patterns!
Drag to sort or use ↑↓ buttons to adjust · Smallest to Biggest
Identify the rules that patterns follow!
Identify which smaller shapes make up bigger shapes!
Click all correct options
Use pattern rules to create your own patterns!
Explore 10 essential knowledge cards about combining shapes and creating patterns!
Shape composition means combining smaller shapes to create bigger, more complex shapes! It's like building with blocks - you start with simple shapes and put them together to make something bigger. Two triangles can make a rectangle. Four squares can make a bigger square. A square with a triangle on top makes a house shape! Understanding composition helps you see that complex shapes are made from simple shapes. This is how architects design buildings and artists create pictures!
Composition = combining smaller shapes to make bigger shapes
2 triangles → rectangle (put together side by side)
4 squares → bigger square (arranged 2×2)
1 square + 1 triangle → house shape (triangle on top)
Like building with blocks - small pieces make big structures!
When combining shapes, think about which edges touch! Shapes must share an edge or corner to truly combine. Just placing shapes near each other isn't composition - they must connect!
Thinking any shapes can combine to make any other shape! The shapes must fit together properly. You can't make a perfect square from circles because circles leave gaps!
Quilting (combining fabric shapes to make designs), architecture (buildings made from simple geometric shapes), puzzles (pieces combine to make a picture), tile floors (small tiles make patterns)!
Block building! Use pattern blocks or draw shapes. Try: make a big square from 4 small squares, make a rectangle from 2 triangles, make a house from a square and triangle. See how shapes combine!
Decomposing shapes means breaking apart a bigger shape into smaller shapes! It's the opposite of composing. If you cut a square diagonally (corner to corner), you get 2 triangles. If you cut a rectangle in half, you get 2 smaller rectangles or 2 squares (depending on how you cut). Decomposing helps you understand that shapes are flexible - they can be broken apart and recombined in different ways. This is super important for understanding fractions later!
Decomposing = breaking apart a shape into smaller shapes
Rectangle → 2 triangles (cut diagonally)
Square → 2 triangles (cut diagonally)
Rectangle → 2 squares (cut in the middle)
It's the OPPOSITE of composing!
When decomposing, think about WHERE you cut! Different cuts make different smaller shapes. A diagonal cut of a square makes triangles. A straight cut down the middle makes rectangles!
Thinking decomposing destroys the original shape! Actually, you can put the pieces back together to remake the original. Decomposition is reversible - the pieces still equal the whole!
Cutting pizza (circle decomposed into triangular slices!), cutting sandwiches (square to triangles), fractions (decomposing wholes into parts), sharing things fairly!
Paper cutting! Draw a square, rectangle, and circle on paper. Cut the square diagonally (2 triangles!). Cut the rectangle in half (2 rectangles). Cut the circle into slices (triangles from center!). See decomposition!
Patterns follow rules that repeat! Letters help us describe the rules: A is the first thing, B is the second thing, C is the third thing. AB pattern means 'first, second, first, second' (alternating). AAB means 'first, first, second' then repeat. ABB means 'first, second, second' then repeat. ABC means 'first, second, third' then repeat. Once you know the rule, you can continue the pattern forever! Patterns help our brains organize information and predict what comes next.
AB pattern: red, blue, red, blue, red, blue (2 things alternating)
AAB pattern: red, red, blue, red, red, blue (2 of A, 1 of B)
ABB pattern: red, blue, blue, red, blue, blue (1 of A, 2 of B)
ABC pattern: red, blue, green, red, blue, green (3 different things)
The letters show what repeats: A = first thing, B = second thing, C = third thing
Find the 'core' or 'unit' that repeats! In AAB AAB AAB, the core is 'AAB' - that's what repeats. Once you find the repeating unit, you've found the pattern!
Looking at too many elements and getting confused! Focus on the smallest group that repeats. That's your pattern unit. Everything else is just that unit repeating!
Music patterns (verse-chorus-verse-chorus), dance patterns (step-step-clap, step-step-clap), traffic lights (green-yellow-red, green-yellow-red), seasons (spring-summer-fall-winter repeating)!
Pattern creation! Using 2 colors of objects (blocks, crayons), make: AB pattern, AAB pattern, ABB pattern, ABC pattern (need 3 colors). Say the pattern aloud while building!
A pattern rule is the repeating instruction that tells you how to make the pattern! It's like a recipe for patterns. If the rule is 'alternate red and blue', you know: red, blue, red, blue, red, blue... If the rule is 'two circles then one square', you know: ○○□ ○○□ ○○□... Understanding the rule helps you predict what comes next, check if a pattern is correct, and create your own patterns. Pattern rules can be about colors, shapes, sizes, numbers, or any property that repeats!
Pattern rule = the repeating instruction for making the pattern
Rule: 'alternate red and blue' → red, blue, red, blue...
Rule: 'two circles then one square' → ○○□ ○○□ ○○□
Rule: 'colors of the rainbow' → red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, repeat
Knowing the rule helps you continue the pattern correctly!
Say the rule in words! 'Two circles, one square, repeat' or 'Red, blue, red, blue, alternating'. Putting the rule into words helps you understand and remember it!
Memorizing the pattern without understanding the rule! You need the rule to continue past what you've seen. Rule > memorization!
Computer programming uses pattern rules (loops), music uses patterns (rhythm patterns, melodic patterns), dance choreography, wallpaper and fabric designs!
Pattern rule game! Look at a pattern. Say the rule in words. Cover the pattern. Use your rule to recreate the pattern. Check if you were right! This proves you understand the rule!
Growing patterns are special patterns that increase or get bigger each time! Unlike repeating patterns (AB AB AB stays the same), growing patterns change. Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4... (each number is 1 bigger), or building: 1 block tall, then 2 blocks tall, then 3 blocks tall. The pattern 'grows'! These patterns help you understand sequences, counting, and eventually algebra. You can grow by adding the same amount each time, or by making things physically bigger!
Growing pattern = pattern that gets bigger or increases each time
Example: 1 block, 2 blocks, 3 blocks, 4 blocks... (growing by 1)
Example: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10... (growing by 2)
Example: small square, medium square, large square (growing in size)
Different from repeating patterns - these CHANGE each time!
Ask 'How much does it grow each time?' In 2, 4, 6, 8, it grows by 2 each time (+2). In 1, 2, 3, 4, it grows by 1 each time (+1). The growth amount is your pattern rule!
Confusing growing patterns with repeating patterns! Growing patterns CHANGE (1, 2, 3, 4...). Repeating patterns REPEAT (A, B, A, B...). Very different types!
Your age is a growing pattern (7, 8, 9, 10... grows by 1 each year!), plants growing taller, buildings being built (1 story, 2 stories, 3 stories...), savings growing!
Block towers! Build: 1-block tower, then 2-block tower, then 3-block tower. Line them up. See the growing pattern! Predict: 'How tall should the next tower be?'
Color patterns use colors as the repeating elements! Instead of shapes or numbers, the pattern uses different colors. The pattern rules are the same (AB, AAB, ABC, etc.) but with colors. Red-Blue-Red-Blue is an AB pattern. Red-Red-Green is an AAB pattern. Color patterns appear everywhere: clothes (stripes), decorations, art, nature (flowers), and traffic lights! Understanding color patterns helps with art, design, and recognizing patterns in the world around you!
Color patterns use different colors in repeating order
Red, Blue, Red, Blue, Red, Blue (AB pattern with colors)
Red, Red, Green, Red, Red, Green (AAB pattern with colors)
Rainbow pattern: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, repeat
Traffic light pattern: Green, Yellow, Red, repeat
Colors are perfect for patterns because they're easy to see and remember! Use colors you have (crayons, blocks, beads) to practice pattern-making!
Getting distracted by color names instead of focusing on the pattern! It doesn't matter if it's red-blue or green-purple - what matters is the pattern structure (AB, AAB, etc.)!
Clothing stripes (shirt patterns), traffic lights (green-yellow-red-green-yellow-red), rainbows (color sequence), team colors, flags (many have color patterns)!
Crayon patterns! Line up crayons in patterns: 2 red, 1 blue, 2 red, 1 blue (AAB). Or red, orange, yellow, green, blue (rainbow pattern). Create 5 different color patterns!
Shape patterns use shapes as the repeating elements! Circle-Square-Circle-Square is an AB pattern with shapes. Triangle-Triangle-Circle is an AAB pattern. You can even combine shapes AND colors to make more complex patterns: Red circle, Blue square, Red circle, Blue square (AB pattern using BOTH shape and color!). Shape patterns appear in tiles, decorations, art, architecture, and nature. Understanding shape patterns helps you recognize geometric patterns and create beautiful designs!
Shape patterns use different shapes in repeating order
Circle, Square, Circle, Square (AB pattern with shapes)
Triangle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle (AAB)
Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle, Square, Triangle (ABC)
Can combine shapes AND colors: Red circle, Blue square, Red circle, Blue square
Shape patterns are everywhere in architecture and design! Floor tiles, building decorations, fence patterns - look for repeating shapes around you!
Thinking you need different-looking shapes! Two circles of different sizes are still both circles - don't let size distract from the shape identity!
Floor tiles (square-triangle-square-triangle patterns), quilts (repeating shape patterns), brick patterns, fence designs, wallpaper, fabric designs!
Shape pattern drawing! On paper, draw: Circle-Square pattern, Triangle-Circle-Circle pattern, Square-Triangle-Circle pattern. Color them for extra beauty! Create your own design!
Symmetry in patterns means the pattern looks the same from both directions or one side mirrors the other! An ABBA pattern (red, blue, blue, red) has symmetry - it's the same forward and backward! Butterfly wings are symmetric - the left wing mirrors the right wing. Faces are somewhat symmetric - left side roughly mirrors right side. Symmetric patterns feel balanced and are pleasing to the eye. Many patterns in nature, art, and architecture use symmetry because it's beautiful and stable!
Symmetry = when one side mirrors the other side
ABBA pattern has symmetry (same from both ends)
ABB and BAA together make a symmetric pattern
Butterfly wings show symmetry (left matches right)
Symmetric patterns are balanced and pleasing to see
Test for symmetry: Can you fold it in half and both sides match? Or read it backward and it's the same? That's symmetry! Like the word 'mom' is the same backward and forward!
Thinking all patterns must be symmetric! Most repeating patterns (AB AB AB) are NOT symmetric - they're just repeating. Symmetry is a special property!
Butterflies, faces (roughly symmetric), buildings (many have symmetric designs), letters (A, H, M are symmetric, but B, F, R are not), logos, art!
Symmetry creation! Fold paper in half. Draw a design on one side. While folded, cut it out. Unfold - you've made a symmetric pattern! This is how paper snowflakes work!
Patterns are EVERYWHERE in both nature and human art! In nature: flower petals often come in sets of 5 or 6, zebras have repeating stripe patterns, honeycombs show hexagon patterns, snowflakes have symmetric patterns. In art: wallpaper repeats designs, fabrics have patterns, tile mosaics use repeating shapes, and almost all decorative art uses patterns. Humans naturally find patterns beautiful and satisfying! Recognizing patterns helps you appreciate both natural beauty and human creativity!
Nature: flower petals (often 5 or 6, arranged in a circle pattern)
Nature: zebra stripes (black-white-black-white repeating)
Nature: honeycomb (hexagon pattern repeating)
Art: mosaics (small tiles in repeating patterns make pictures)
Art: wallpaper, fabric, and carpet designs use repeating patterns
Become a pattern detective! Everywhere you go, look for patterns. In nature (trees, flowers, animals) and in human designs (buildings, clothes, decorations). You'll be amazed how many patterns surround you!
Thinking patterns are only in math! Patterns are in music (rhythm patterns), language (rhyming patterns), nature (all over!), art (everywhere!). Patterns are universal!
Understanding patterns helps you appreciate art, understand music, recognize natural order, predict events, solve problems, and see connections in the world!
Pattern photography safari! Take photos of 10 patterns: in nature (flowers, leaves, animal markings) and in human designs (buildings, fabrics, decorations). Create a 'Patterns Everywhere' collection!
Creating your own patterns is fun and creative! First, choose what elements you'll use: shapes? colors? sizes? Then decide your rule: Will it be AB (alternating)? AAB? ABC? A growing pattern? Create one unit following your rule, then repeat it at least 3 times so people can recognize the pattern. Your pattern can be simple (red-blue-red-blue) or complex (large red circle, small blue square, medium green triangle, repeat). There's no wrong way - if it follows a repeating rule, it's a valid pattern! Pattern creation combines math logic with artistic creativity!
Choose your elements: shapes, colors, numbers, anything!
Decide your rule: AB? AAB? ABC? Growing pattern?
Create the first unit following your rule
Repeat the unit at least 3 times so others can see the pattern
Your pattern is unique and creative!
Repeat your pattern at least 3 times! People need to see the unit repeat multiple times to confirm it's a pattern, not just random elements. Three repetitions make the pattern clear!
Creating a pattern that's too complicated to repeat! Start simple. Master AB and AAB patterns before trying super complex ones. Simple patterns can be just as beautiful as complex ones!
Artists, designers, architects, and fashion designers all create patterns! From fabric designs to building decorations to computer wallpapers - pattern creation is a valuable creative skill!
Pattern design project! Create 5 different patterns using whatever you have: drawings, blocks, beads, stickers. Try one AB, one AAB, one ABC, one growing pattern, and one pattern you invent! Display your patterns!