Pattern Blocks in the Secondary Classroom.

  My experience with pattern blocks is really next to nothing because I've only ever seen them used in the elementary grades.  I knew they could be used to teach parts of the whole but I never realized they could be used at the middle school and high school levels. 

I've actually discovered a few ways they can be used in the upper grades. I am thrilled because I have a collection of them from the previous teacher.    There are also a couple of apps for sale from the app store so you can use them on the iPad.

The first way to use them, is by having students create semi-regular tessellations using pattern blocks. Imagine having students using squares and blue rhombus. Or using two or more regular shapes to cover the plane in the same polygon order either clockwise or counter clockwise.

Let their creativity loose so they can create repeated patterns within a circular shape or a rectangular shape.

 Unfortunately, many students reach middle school or high school without a solid foundation in using fractions.  Pattern blocks are a good manipulative for teaching fractions in a way that might be more understandable for students.  This lesson found on better lesson is specifically designed to teach fractions to students using pattern blocks.  The lesson has an anticapatory set through the end activity.

The math learning center has a nice pdf filled with activities for grades 3 to 5 all designed to teach basic mathematical concepts from symmetry to angles.  In addition, Henri Picciotto has a free ebook filled with ideas including several activities which use pattern blocks to learn more about angles, polygons, symmetry, measurement, and similarity.  He also includes a presentation for using pattern blocks in the classroom, and a link for pattern block trains for teaching rates of change.

What about using pattern blocks to teach functions? Check out this pdf with an activity for creating functions.  The files include both the worksheets and the answers which is nice time saver. 

If you want to show mathematics and pattern blocks in a slightly different light, check out this place which equates the pattern block shapes with number of beats on a drum.  Its like using the blocks instead of notes for the music.  The smallest shape, the triangle, is worth one beat, the rhombus is worth two, etc.  It is easy to arrange for the use of drums out here because the drum is the basic instrument for dances.  The school owns several.

Let me know what you think.  Have a great day.