Complete the Patterns Worksheet

Patterns are one of the first big ideas in early math, and the Complete the Patterns Worksheet gives students a clear, friendly place to practice them. A pattern is simply a rule that repeats or grows, and a child who can name that rule is already thinking algebraically. This first grade patterns worksheet walks students through three kinds of patterns in a row — shapes, letters, and numbers — so they learn that the same idea shows up everywhere, not just in one kind of problem.

The page is organized into three short sections that build on one another. In the first section, students study a repeating row of shapes and draw the shape that comes next in the empty box. In the second, they read a repeating letter pattern and write the next two letters on the lines. In the third, they finish a growing number pattern by counting on by twos, fives, and tens. Use it as morning work, as guided practice after a hands-on pattern block lesson, or as a quick check before you move into skip counting. The answer key on the second page makes grading fast.

What’s Included

• One printable worksheet page with nine pattern problems, in PDF format
• Three repeating shape patterns with a box for drawing the answer
• Three repeating letter patterns built on AB, ABB, and ABC rules
• Three growing number patterns that skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s
• A complete answer key on the final page

There are three reasons the Complete the Patterns Worksheet helps young learners. First, it moves one skill across three representations, which is how children build a flexible idea of what a pattern really is. Second, drawing the missing shape asks for more than recognition — students have to reproduce the rule themselves, which shows you exactly who understands it. Third, the number rows quietly rehearse skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, the counting fluency first graders need long before multiplication arrives.

Teachers and parents can stretch the page in a few easy ways. Ask students to say the rule out loud before they write anything, such as “circle, square, circle, square,” so the language comes first. Hand out pattern blocks, buttons, or two colors of counters and have children build each row before they record it. Challenge early finishers to invent a pattern of their own on the back and trade with a partner. At home, hunt for patterns on tile floors, fabric, fences, and calendars, then draw the ones you find together.

Related Resources

• Patterns Lesson Plan
• Finding Number Patterns Worksheet
• Pattern Pairs Arithmetic Patterns Activity
• Counting By Twos Song