Patterns and Sorting

Kindergarten · Math · Study Guide

Learn how to find, make, and sort patterns using shapes, colors, and objects.

A pattern is something that repeats in the same order over and over again. You can see patterns everywhere — in your clothes, in nature, and even in math!

The simplest patterns repeat two things, like red, blue, red, blue. This is called an AB pattern because A stands for the first thing (red) and B stands for the second thing (blue). You might also see ABC patterns with three things that repeat.

Sorting means putting things into groups that belong together. You can sort objects by color, shape, size, or how they feel. For example, you could sort buttons into groups of red buttons, blue buttons, and yellow buttons.

When you sort things, each object goes in only one group, and all the objects in a group share the same attribute — the thing that makes them alike.

Finding patterns and sorting are important skills because they help us organize information and predict what comes next. Scientists, artists, and mathematicians all use patterns and sorting every day!

Key terms

Pattern
Something that repeats in the same order again and again.
Repeat
To do or show something again in the same way.
Sort
To put things into groups based on how they are the same.
AB Pattern
A pattern that repeats two things, like red-blue-red-blue.
Attribute
A quality of an object, like its color, shape, or size.
Group
A set of things that share the same attribute.

Flashcards

Pattern
Something that repeats: red, blue, red, blue.
AB Pattern
Two things that repeat: big, small, big, small.
ABC Pattern
Three things that repeat: star, circle, heart, star, circle, heart.
Sort by color
Put all red things together, all blue things together, etc.
Sort by shape
Put all circles together, all squares together, etc.
Sort by size
Put all big things together and all small things together.
What comes next in: A, B, A, B, A?
B! The pattern repeats: A then B.
Attribute
A feature of an object like color, size, or shape.

Questions

  1. Circle, square, circle, square, circle, ___. What comes next?

    1. Circle
    2. Square
    3. Triangle
    4. Rectangle
    Show answer

    Answer: Square

    The pattern is circle, square repeating. After circle comes square.

  2. Red, blue, red, blue is an example of a pattern.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    Red, blue, red, blue repeats in the same order, making it an AB pattern.

  3. When we put things into groups that are alike, we are ___ing them.

    Show answer

    Answer: sort

    Sorting means putting things into groups based on how they are the same.

  4. Which group shows objects sorted by color?

    1. Red ball, blue ball, red car
    2. Red ball, red apple, red crayon
    3. Big ball, small ball, round ball
    4. Soft teddy, hard block, soft pillow
    Show answer

    Answer: Red ball, red apple, red crayon

    Red ball, red apple, red crayon are all red, so they are sorted by color.

  5. A pattern can only use colors, not shapes.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    Patterns can use shapes, numbers, sounds, or actions — not just colors!

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