RESOURCE GUIDEBOOK FOR EDUCATORS
Pattern Blocks
USING PATTERN BLOCKS TO CREATE ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Grades K-2 Pattern Activities:
Background:
Islamic architecture can be found throughout the world, from Canada to China to Turkey and beyond. In this assignment, students will use pattern blocks (a familiar manipulative available in most elementary schools) to copy designs from cards, first with real blocks and then if they wish, by gluing paper pattern blocks on construction paper. Students may also create their own unique architecture using the templates as guidelines.
Educational Objectives:
Describe objects in the environment using geometric shape names.
Identify shapes in the environment.
Identify shapes, regardless of orientation or size.
Analyse 2-D shapes.
Use informal language to describe the similarities between different 2-D shapes.
Compose shapes to form larger shapes (i.e., compose triangles to form a rectangle).
Materials:
Pattern Block Designs cards (Teacher Masters 1-10, run 1 copy each on cardstock. Laminate if desired).
3 buckets of pattern blocks
6 small containers of paper pattern block shapes
1 sheet of white (or any solid colour) 6” x 9” construction paper
6 small bottles of glue or glue sticks
Activity:
Choose the pattern block design card that you would like to copy.
What do you notice about the design? Which shapes will you need? How many? How can you make them fit together?
Use your pattern blocks to copy. Does your design look just the same?
If you would like to make a copy of your work with the paper shapes, find the shape(s) you need. Glue them carefully to the black construction paper to make it look just like the figure you made.
Can you use the pattern blocks to create some designs of your own?
Would you like to make a copy of one of your original designs?
Do you want to take your work home to share with your family or leave it at school for others to see?
Sources:
Scribd (Designs based on famous masjids/mosques, for use with pattern blocks) https://www.scribd.com/document/21335679/pattern-blocks-masjids
Pattern Block Lessons to Meet Common Core State Standards Grades K–2 https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/PBLCCSSK2-0412w.pdf
Pattern Blocks Activity; K-2.pdf