You will learn
- Read a shape pattern.
- Name the shapes in order.
- Continue a shape pattern.
- Make a shape pattern.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- A shape pattern repeats shapes in order.
- The core is the part that repeats.
- Name the shapes in order to find what comes next.
- Keep the pattern going by repeating the core.
Words to know
A pattern made with shapes.
A round shape.
A shape with 4 equal sides.
A shape with 3 sides.
1. Discover: floor tiles
A floor has tiles: circle, square, circle, square. What shape comes next? Look at a tile floor near you.
2. Understand: shape patterns
A shape pattern repeats shapes in a set order. Circle, square, circle, square is an AB pattern. Triangle, triangle, square is an AAB pattern.
Say the shapes aloud to find the core, then continue it.
Idea 1: Shapes that repeat
A shape pattern is made of shapes that repeat in order. Circle, square, circle, square is a shape pattern.
Idea 2: Find the core
The core is the part that repeats. In circle, circle, square, circle, circle, square the core is circle, circle, square.
Idea 3: Continue it
To continue, say the core again and again. After the end of one core, start the core again.
Why? A pattern repeats the same thing each time, so the next shape is the next one in the core.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Square and circle
Square, circle, square, circle, __. What is next?
- The core is square, circle.
- The last shape is a circle.
Answer: Square
Example 2 (We do it together): A longer core
Triangle, triangle, square, triangle, triangle, __. What is next?
- The core is triangle, triangle, square.
- Two triangles have come, so next is square.
Answer: Square
Example 3 (You try): Name the core
What is the core of circle, triangle, circle, triangle?
Show the steps and answer
- Find the part that repeats.
Answer: Circle, triangle
Did you know?
Tiles on a floor often make a shape pattern. Look at floors and walls for patterns.
Why this matters
Patterns help us see order. They also help us to predict what comes next.
4. Explore: shape patterns
You need cut-out shapes or draw them.
- Make a pattern: circle, square, circle, square.
- Continue 4 more shapes.
- Make a pattern with 3 shapes: circle, square, triangle.
- Let a partner continue it.
Think about it: what did you notice?
The core repeats in the same order.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- The core is ___.
- Next comes a ___.
- The pattern repeats ___.
- I made a pattern with ___ and ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. Circle, square, circle, square. Next?
circle.
Question 2. Triangle, triangle, square, triangle, triangle. Next?
square.
Question 3. What is the core of circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle?
circle, square, triangle.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- Continue: square, circle, square, circle, __
- Continue: triangle, square, square, triangle, square, __
- Make your own shape pattern.
- What is the core of circle, circle, square?
- Draw 6 shapes in an ABC pattern.
Level 2: Grow
- Square, triangle, square, triangle, __. Next?
- Circle, circle, triangle, circle, circle, __. Next?
- Name the core of star, moon, star, moon.
Level 3: Stretch
- Triangle, square, circle, triangle, square, __. Next?
- What is the 7th shape in circle, square, circle, square…?
- Ali says the next shape in circle, square, triangle, circle, square is square. What is wrong?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: everyday mathematics
Tiles are circle, square, circle, square. What is the 7th tile?
Show a sample answer
Circle (odd places are circles).
Another one. A floor has tiles in the order square, circle, square, circle. Draw the next 4 tiles in words.
Show a sample answer
Square, circle, square, circle.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Say the shapes aloud and check the core.
Fix: Find the whole core before you continue.
Fix: Check each shape in the core before you repeat it.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can read a shape pattern.
- I can name the shapes in order.
- I can find the core.
- I can continue and make a shape pattern.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Name the shapes in order.
- Find the core.
- Repeat the core to continue.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Number patterns. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Circle, square, circle, square, __. What comes next? [1 mark]
- What is the core of triangle, triangle, square, triangle, triangle, square? [2 marks]
- Draw or write the next three shapes: square, circle, circle, square, circle, circle, __, __, __. [3 marks]
- Make a shape pattern with a core of 2 shapes. Write 6 shapes. [2 marks]
- Ben says square, circle, triangle, square, circle, circle is a pattern. Is he right? Explain. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- Circle [1]
- Triangle, triangle, square [2]. Give 1 mark for part of the core.
- Square [1], circle [1], circle [1]
- A repeating pattern [1]; 6 shapes shown [1]
- No [1]. The last shape should be triangle [1].
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- Next: square, circle, square, circle, __
- Core of triangle, square, square?
- Draw 4 shapes in an AB pattern.
- Is circle, square, circle, triangle a pattern? (yes/no)
- Next: circle, circle, square, circle, circle, __
- Circle, square, circle, square, __. Next?
- Name the core of triangle, circle, triangle, circle.
- Square, square, circle, square, square, __. Next?
- How many shapes are in the core of circle, square, triangle?
- Make a shape pattern with 6 shapes.
Homework
Find shape patterns at home (tiles, cloth). Draw them and write the core.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Next: square, circle, square, circle, __ | square | 2 |
| Core of triangle, square, square? | triangle, square, square | 2 |
| Draw 4 shapes in an AB pattern. | e.g. circle, square, circle, square | 2 |
| Is circle, square, circle, triangle a pattern? (yes/no) | no | 2 |
| Next: circle, circle, square, circle, circle, __ | square | 2 |
| Total | 10 |
Practice answers: Worksheet: 1 square; 2 triangle, square, square; 3 e.g. circle, square, circle, square; 4 no; 5 square.
Quiz answers: 1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 C, Challenge 2 C.
Extra worksheet answers (items 6 onward): 6 circle; 7 triangle, circle; 8 circle; 9 3; 10 Any repeating pattern.
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 square; 2 square; 3 your own shape pattern; 4 circle, circle, square; 5 for example circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle. Level 2: 1 square; 2 triangle; 3 star, moon. Level 3: 1 circle; 2 circle; 3 The core is circle, square, triangle. After square comes triangle..
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Read a shape pattern | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Name the shapes in order | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Continue a shape pattern | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Make a shape pattern | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Mixing up the order of the shapes. Say the shapes aloud and check the core.
- Explain another way: use real objects first, then pictures.
- Show a simpler example: Use only circle and square for AB patterns.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child reads, continues and makes patterns with shapes. You do not need to be good at mathematics to help.
- Look for shape patterns on floors, fabric and walls.
- Make a pattern with blocks or cut paper.
- Ask: what comes next? What is the core?
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: read a shape pattern; name the shapes in order; continue a shape pattern; make a shape pattern.
Prerequisite knowledge. Unit 5: shapes; Lessons 1 and 2.
Materials. Counters (stones, seeds or bottle tops), paper, pencils, board or chalkboard. Low-resource options: use stones, seeds, sticks, bottle tops or drawings in the sand or on the board instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Gather the counters and draw the example pictures on the board before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Start with the Discover situation and let learners suggest ideas before you teach.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the Understand section with real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words.
Guided activity (10 min). You need cut-out shapes or draw them. Learners follow the Explore steps in pairs.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners complete the independent practice and the worksheet.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the core? What comes next? How do you know?
Teacher explanation notes. Use the concrete, pictorial, abstract order: real objects first, then pictures, then symbols and words. Return to real objects whenever a learner needs support.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and work with a partner; say each step aloud together. Extension. Ask learners to make up their own example and explain it to a partner.
Formative assessment. Listen to learner explanations, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Mixing up the order of the shapes. Say the shapes aloud and check the core.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz and worksheet on this page. The 10-mark exam practice scheme, the 10-mark scheme and all answers are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer and the marking scheme before publication.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use only circle and square for AB patterns. Enrichment. Invite learners to find or create three more examples at home or in the classroom and explain them. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which concepts learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points named in the Courseversity standard: Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (official site): Grade 1 » Operations & Algebraic Thinking. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core K.OA and 1.OA patterns; Cambridge Primary Mathematics Stage 1 (patterns). These sources informed the lesson.