What Comes Next? Finding the Rule in a Pattern
Look at a bee's stripes: black, yellow, black, yellow. Look at the days on a calendar: school, school, school, school, school, no-school, no-school. Patterns are hiding everywhere, and once you learn to find the rule, you can guess what comes next!
What You'll Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: - Spot a repeating pattern like AB, AB, AB - Predict what comes next in a pattern by finding its rule - Use simple 'if this, then that' thinking - Notice when a pattern breaks its own rule
Patterns Have Rules
A pattern is something that repeats in a predictable way. Circle, square, circle, square, circle, ___ — what comes next? A square! The rule here is simple: circle, then square, over and over. Some patterns repeat two things (called an AB pattern, like circle-square), and some repeat three things before starting over (an AAB pattern, like red, red, blue, red, red, blue).
If This, Then That
Logic often works like a rule with two parts: 'if' something happens, 'then' something else follows. If it is raining, then you bring an umbrella. If the stoplight turns red, then cars stop. This kind of thinking helps you predict what should happen next, just like finding what comes next in a pattern—both are about spotting the rule.
Spotting a Broken Pattern
Sometimes a pattern breaks its own rule, and a sharp thinker notices right away. In the pattern red, red, blue, red, red, blue, GREEN — that green doesn't belong! Learning to notice when something 'doesn't add up' is one of the very first steps toward thinking like a scientist or a detective.
Clap, snap, clap, snap, clap, ___. Say the pattern out loud and guess what comes next before you keep reading!
Drag the correct next item to finish each pattern.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
What comes next in this pattern: triangle, triangle, star, triangle, triangle, star, ___?
If the rule is: 'If the light is red, then cars ___,' what word finishes the rule?
Pattern Parade
Using blocks, crayons, or snacks, line up your own AB or AAB pattern (like red-blue-red-blue or apple-apple-orange). Have a family member look at your pattern and guess what comes next, then swap and guess theirs. Draw your finished pattern on paper as your deliverable.
Want to keep learning?
Sign up for free to access the full curriculum — all subjects, all ages.
Start Learning Free