Find the Missing Shape in the Pattern

Before handing out the worksheet, briefly introduce the concept with a short oral warm-up or a visual model on the board. Let students work through it with your modeling first (do the first item together on the board), then try the rest with a partner, encouraging them to talk through their thinking: "What strategy are you using? How do you know that is right?" After completing the worksheet, review any missed problems together and discuss the reasoning rather than just the answer. For extra support, let students use manipulatives or draw pictures alongside the written problems. These shape patterns worksheets work well as daily practice, homework, or a focused review activity.

Circle the shape that fills the empty box in the middle of 8 shape patterns, from 3 choices. The directions on the page read: Look at each pattern. Then, find the shape that goes in the empty box. Then, circle that shape on the right side of the row. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for Kindergarten shapes, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with shape patterns. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

An AB pattern repeats 2 things, like circle, square, circle, square. AAB repeats 2 of one shape and then 1 of another, and ABC repeats 3 shapes in order. Kindergarteners start with AB and move on to AAB, ABB and ABC.

Read the row out loud together, such as red, red, blue, red, red, blue, and let your child say the next word before they circle, color or draw. Saying the pattern makes the repeat easy to hear.

Yes. All 5 sheets have an answer key that shows the shape or color that belongs in each empty box.