L25 – WWW – Continue Repeated Patterns

Working Without Worksheets – Reception Maths: Continuing Repeating Patterns Support your Reception pupils in developing early algebra skills with this Working Without Worksheets lesson on continuing repeating patterns. Through actions, cubes, natural objects, and beads, children learn to identify the unit of repeat in a pattern and extend it accurately. The lesson begins with a starter activity: Display a movement pattern on the slides (e.g. clap, clap, stamp). Say the pattern aloud and join in with the actions, encouraging the children to join in too. Ask: “What comes next?” to help children hear and feel the repeat. In the main input, children extend their understanding with visual patterns: Display a repeating pattern (e.g. images of animals, shapes, or colours). Ask: “Can you describe the pattern?” Highlight each image, encouraging children to say the pattern out loud. Support them to identify the unit of repeat and ask: “What comes next?” Confirm the next three images before moving on to other examples. For the independent activities, children continue patterns in hands-on, practical ways: Cube Trails – provide pattern starters using linking cubes. Children continue with AB, AAB, or ABB examples depending on ability. Natural Pattern Path – use stones, leaves, and twigs outdoors. Children extend natural object patterns to make paths or lines. Peg Board Patterns – begin simple colour patterns on peg boards (e.g. yellow, red, yellow, red) and children continue the line. Pattern Necklaces – start threading pasta or beads in a sequence, then children extend the necklace using the same pattern. Adults support by asking: “What is your pattern doing? What comes next?” The plenary brings the class back together: Share examples of extended patterns. Reinforce the concept of the unit of repeat and how this makes a pattern predictable. What’s Included in the Pack? ✔ Full teacher planning with objectives, vocabulary, and plenary questions ✔ Starter: movement pattern (cl