The big ideaThe part that repeats tells us what comes next.
How it works
Say the part that repeats. Then find where you are in it.
The part that repeats tells you what comes next.
If you know the pattern, you can finish it without seeing the end.
Finding what comes next.
Example 1: Two beads
Blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue.
The part that repeats is blue, yellow.
We are at blue, so yellow comes next.
Example 2: Three beads
Blue, yellow, green, blue, yellow, and then?
The part that repeats is blue, yellow, green.
We have done blue and yellow, so green comes next.
🔵blue🟡yellow🟢green🔵blue🟡yellow🟢next: green
A longer pattern.
Example 3: Clap and stomp
Clap, stomp, stomp, clap, stomp, stomp, and then?
The part that repeats is clap, stomp, stomp.
It starts over, so a clap comes next.
Example 4: Star and moon
Star, moon, star, moon, star.
Say the part: star, moon.
After a star comes a moon, so a moon is next.
Words to know
pattern
A part that repeats, in the same order.
repeat
To come again and again.
bead
A little ball you can string.
Watch out
The one just before is not always next. Look at the part that repeats.
Say the whole part out loud. It helps you find your place.
A thing that is not in the pattern never comes next.
Take your time and check with the part.
Try it
Blue, yellow, blue, yellow, blue. What comes next?
Clap, clap, stomp, clap, clap. What comes next?
Green, blue, green, blue, green. What comes next?
What tells us what comes next?
Answers: 1. Yellow · 2. A stomp · 3. Blue · 4. The part that repeats
Try at homeWith a grown-up, start a pattern on the table with spoons and forks, like spoon, fork, spoon, fork. Ask the grown-up to stop in the middle. You say the part that repeats and then show what comes next. Then swap, and make a pattern for the grown-up to finish.
For grown-upsStart a pattern on the table with spoons and forks, like spoon, fork, spoon, fork, and stop in the middle. Let your child say what comes next, then swap.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.