Geometric shapes can help first grade students learn to recognize patterns. Simple, different colored shapes such as triangles, squares and circles in a row can be displayed on the SMARTBoard. Display the shapes in a repeating pattern on the top line and show the pattern with missing elements on a second line. Instruct students to name the shape that comes next. Students will recognize the pattern by the repeating shapes.
Help students learn to recognize color patterns by using shapes in different colors that repeat, such as blue, red, green and yellow. Select different shapes and objects to demonstrate the color pattern. For example, a color pattern that is yellow, red, yellow, may consist of a yellow rose, a red apple and a yellow jelly bean, a yellow kite, a red lollypop and a yellow sun. Students should recognize the color pattern because the colors will be the only common element among the items on the screen.
First grade students are learning to count and to solve simple math problems. A SMARTBoard numbers pattern activity can help students to learn to recognize number sequences. Math functions, such as multiplication and addition, can be demonstrated using number patterns. The number pattern, 2, 4, 6, 8 demonstrates the addition of 2 to continue the pattern and the multiplication table for the number 2.
Students can learn to recognize patterns in nature, such as colors, lines, shapes and size. Patterns occur in growth rings in trees and sea shells, veins in leaves, human fingerprints and in flower petals. Educators can display pictures from nature on the SMARTBoard that demonstrate a pattern. Students can try to figure out the common element among the pictures, such as the long, cylindrical shape of both snakes and worms.