- Definition
A pattern is a design made by repeating shapes, lines, or colors, like the stripes on a shirt. It can also be a guide or plan you follow to make something.
A sequence of shapes like circle, triangle, circle, triangle follows a repeating pattern.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A pattern is like a string of beads where the colours repeat in the same order over and over.
Ask your child: What part of this do you see happening again and again?
Common mix-up: Kids might think any random group of things is a pattern. The key is that a real pattern has a special part that repeats in the same order.
Examples
- The stripes on a shirt that go green, white, green, white.
- Making a rhythm by clapping, then snapping, then clapping, then snapping.
- Arranging snacks on a plate: cracker, cheese, cracker, cheese.
pattern is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+103 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
