There are two different sets of pattern blocks, featuring six blocks in total. The basic pattern block set contains only four different shapes. The green triangles are the smallest shape, with blue rhombuses, red trapezoids and yellow hexagons rounding out the set. All the larger sets can be replicated with triangles. An expanded set includes two more shapes, orange squares and tan diamonds. While the square and diamond shapes can not be created with triangles, the shapes still work with the basic set to create patterns.
As the name implies, pattern blocks are ideal tools for instructing students on patterns, which are an essential building block moving forward in math. Laying out the blocks in a repeating pattern teaches a child how to identify a pattern then recreate it by making a matching pattern of his own.
The ability of the basic set to combine smaller pieces to make the larger pieces teaches children how the basic geometric shapes relate to each other. For example, the rhombus is simply two touching triangles, while the trapezoid is made up of a rhombus and triangle, or of three triangles. By laying out six triangle shapes, with each triangle sharing a side with the triangle before it, a student sees that laying out six triangle together yields a hexagon to match the yellow shapes.
Create a pattern of blocks by placing down shapes in a repeating pattern then project on the board. Instruct the students to recreate. As the children grow more comfortable, create more complex shapes on the overhead.
Filling exercises allow students to use what they learned, such as how to lay out a pattern of triangles to make larger shapes, in order to fill in gaps in a creation. Lay out a series of blocks so that it forms a shape with no gaps, then remove some of the blocks and project the shape on the board. Instruct the students to recreate your shape using their own pattern blocks, then to fill in the open space using the blocks provided.