A repeating pattern is formed by a fixed core of elements—such as shapes, colors, letters, or numbers—that recurs in the same order, and creating one requires selecting and repeating that core so the pattern can be extended and its next terms predicted. The learner distinguishes a repeating pattern from a pattern that merely changes or grows, without requiring general rules, variables, or more advanced numerical sequences.
On this page:
- Learn “Create repeating patterns” with a detailed explanation of the concept
- Master “Create repeating patterns” with unlimited, free practice problems
- Download (or modify) a free worksheet on Create repeating patterns you can use at home or in class with practice problems that scaffold and explore “Create repeating patterns” from different perspectives.
- Start working on adaptive units like “Patterning - Number Patterns Intro” or “Patterning - Visual Patterns Practice” that introduce, teach, or practice “Create repeating patterns” to maximize your learning.
Detailed Explanation: Create repeating patterns
A repeating pattern has a small group of items, called the core, that repeats in the same order.
Example: Create a pattern that repeats red, blue, yellow.
- Choose the core: red, blue, yellow.
- Write the core one time:
red, blue, yellow - Repeat the same core again:
red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow - Repeat it once more:
red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow
The pattern is:
red, blue, yellow | red, blue, yellow | red, blue, yellow
The next color is red, because the core starts over after yellow.
To check your pattern, look for the group that keeps repeating. A repeating pattern stays in the same order. A pattern that gets bigger or changes each time is not a repeating pattern.
Learn by doing: Create repeating patterns
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Practice with unlimited practice problems
Practice:
Patterning - Next in 2 Item Repeating Shape Pattern
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Create repeating patterns' Worksheet
Print this free 'Create repeating patterns' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Patterning - Next in 2 Item Repeating Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Next in 4 Item Repeating Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Concept Intro (Repeating) - Picture to Next Term
- Patterning - Concept Intro (Repeating) - Picture to Term List
- Patterning - Concept Intro (Repeating) - Picture to Missing Term
- Patterning - Missing from 4 Item Repeating Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Missing from 2 Item Repeating Shape Pattern
- Patterning - Next in 2 Item Repeating Number Pattern
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Create repeating patterns) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.