In Year 1 Mathematics, learning patterns is a fundamental skill that lays a strong foundation for the introduction of more complex mathematical concepts.  

At St Catherine’s our girls have been recognising simple patterns in everyday contexts and copying simple patterns in their lessons this week. 

One common type of pattern currently being explored is the ‘AB’ pattern. AB patterns follow a simple ‘A, B, A, B’ sequence, such as green, blue, green, and blue.  

In class the girls used stickers, counters, pencils, and different manipulatives to make several patterns following this AB pattern rule.  

Once this concept was explored and practised, it was extended using familiar nursery rhymes where repetition and sequence are key elements. For example, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star follows an AB pattern in its lyrics. By connecting these mathematical patterns to known and loved songs and musical concepts, students can engage more deeply with the material, making learning effective and enjoyable. 

Mary Had a Little Lamb and Humpty Dumpty are two other examples of AB patterns.  

A famous piece of classical music following an ABAB structure is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27, No. 2. The first movement is a wonderful example of an ABAB pattern. Something for our young mathematicians to aspire to as they explore musical composition and appreciation as they grow.