I love using pattern blocks in the classroom. They can be used to teach so many skills including visual discrimination, identifying shapes and counting and are great for fine motor skills. They are such an engaging, hands on resource for students to use, helping to make their learning come to life.
Recently, we have an a lot of fun with pattern block shape pictures. This is a fun print and laminate center activity that can be used year after year. We began using large pictures, where we were just matching the picture. After we built a picture, we then counted each of the shapes are in this picture. This is a great hands on activity to practice shapes and counting. Who doesn't love incorporating math and fine motor skills?
To differentiate, students can build this picture with a template but not given the shapes they should use. This is a little more challenging but a great visual discrimination activity. This activity also allows students to use different shapes to create a shape so they may be able to build the same picture in different ways. I love this template because students can find so many different ways to create the picture and then can compare. Students can build each of the pictures in so many different ways.
We also had fun building these pictures using small cards (these picture cards are included for free at the bottom of this post). We had so much fun creating these pictures and identifying how many blocks in all are used. This activity also tied in literacy, requiring students to label the pictures on a recording sheet.
Also included is a printable roll, color and count activity that students can complete with a partner. This would work well for a partner math center activity or is great activity to leave for a sub.
All of these pattern blocks activities with 10 different pictures for students to build and create with both the full scale mats for students to build on as well as the small task cards are included in my Winter Pattern block mats on TPT.
If you have enjoyed these activities, you can find the seasonal bundle and the yearlong bundle focusing on each holiday here. They make an easy seasonal math center that you can just swap out the theme each month.
You can holiday themed math activities discounted 25% in the Holiday Pattern Block Bundle
or this full resources discounted 25% off in the Seasons Pattern Blocks Bundle
You can get the grab the Free Winter Pattern Block Task Cards
I hope that you and your student love this activity!
