Patterns in Colors and Shapes

In our first lesson we discovered what a pattern is. Now let's zoom in on one of the most beautiful kinds: visual patterns — patterns you can see. Colors and shapes can dance together in incredible ways, and once you know how to look, you will notice them on fabrics, art, buildings, and even nature.

Repeating Units: The Building Block of Visual Patterns

Every visual pattern is built from a repeating unit. A repeating unit is the smallest piece that repeats. Example: red circle, blue square, red circle, blue square The repeating unit is: red circle, blue square. That little piece keeps going. To describe a pattern, you can use letters. Let's say A is the first kind and B is the second kind: red circle = A, blue square = B So the pattern above is ABABAB — we call this an AB pattern. Now try this one: triangle, triangle, circle, triangle, triangle, circle. The repeating unit is: triangle, triangle, circle. In letters: A, A, B — so it is an AAB pattern.

Patterns come in many forms. Here are three to know: AB pattern: red, blue, red, blue — two things taking turns. ABC pattern: red, blue, yellow, red, blue, yellow — three things cycling. AAB pattern: big, big, small, big, big, small — the first thing appears twice before the second. Nature loves patterns too! A zebra's stripes are an AB pattern of black and white. A beehive is made of repeating hexagon shapes all packed together.

Continuing a pattern means figuring out what comes next. Here is how to do it in three steps: Step 1: Find the repeating unit. Step 2: See where you are in the unit. Step 3: Add the next piece in the unit. Practice: circle, square, triangle, circle, square, ___. The unit is: circle, square, triangle. You are at square, so next comes triangle!