People are not the only pattern makers. Nature makes patterns too! A zebra has stripes. A leopard has spots. A fish has scales. A snail shell has a spiral.
Key idea
Stripes, spots, scales, spirals and rings are patterns in nature.
Why it works
Patterns help animals and plants. Stripes and spots can help an animal hide in grass or shade. A honeycomb's six-sided cells fit together with no gaps.
Worked example: Let's look
What pattern do you see on a ladybug?
- A ladybug is red with round black marks.
- Round marks are spots.
Answer: Spots.
Common mistake
Some children think only people make patterns. Look closely at animals and plants: zebras, snails, pinecones, fish and sunflowers are full of them.
For the grown-up. On a walk or in a picture book, look for patterns: bark, leaves, shells, feathers. Ask, "What repeats here?"