Use pattern blocks to teach the mathematical skill of sorting. Set out a pile of pattern blocks and invite children to look through the pile and examine the different shapes and colors. Explain that you would like children to sort the pile of pattern blocks based on their attributes. Have them sort the blocks into piles based on either their shape or color, as all blocks that are one shape are made in one color.
Use pattern blocks to show the relationship between shapes. Divide students into pairs and engage them a shape comparison race. Provide each pair with a set of pattern blocks and a list of questions; for example, ask how many triangles are in a rhombus or the number of trapezoids in a hexagon. Engage the pairs in a race and whichever pair of students correctly answers the questions on the list first wins the game.
Use pattern blocks as a means of teaching your students fractions. Set out a pile of pattern blocks and, together, count the total amount of blocks. Explain to students that the total number of pattern blocks represents the denominator in a fraction. Next, instruct children to count the total number of a specific shape, such as triangles. Explain that the total number of triangles represents the numerator in the question, "What fraction of the shapes are triangles?" Explain that the total number of each individual shape represents part of the whole, or the total number of all the shapes.
Use pattern blocks as a manipulative for teaching students patterns. Draw a simple numerical representation of a pattern on a piece of paper, such as 1, 2, 1, 2. Ask students to identify the pattern in the numbers and then continue the pattern. Assign a shape to each number in the pattern: triangles to the number one and trapezoids to the number two, for example. Use the pattern blocks to recreate the numerical pattern; triangle, trapezoid, triangle, trapezoid. Again, ask children if they see the pattern and have them try to continue the pattern with the shapes. Make more numerical representations of patterns; 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 and 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, for example, and have students use the pattern blocks to create the patterns.