Common Mistakes: Shapes & Patterns
Everyone makes mistakes! Let's learn what to watch out for when working with shapes and patterns.
Shape Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Mixing Up Squares and Rectangles
The Wrong Way
Calling every 4-sided shape a "square"
This rectangle has 4 sides, but it's NOT a square!
The Right Way
Square: All 4 sides are the SAME length 🟥
Rectangle: Has 2 long sides and 2 short sides 🟧
Both have 4 corners, but the sides are different!
Helpful Tip!
Check if all sides look the same length. If yes = Square. If two sides are longer = Rectangle.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to Count Corners
The Wrong Way
Just guessing the shape name without counting!
"I think it's a square... no wait, a circle?"
The Right Way
Always count the corners (points):
- 0 corners = Circle 🔵
- 3 corners = Triangle 🔺
- 4 corners = Square or Rectangle 🟥
Mistake 3: Thinking Rotated Shapes Are Different
The Wrong Way
Thinking an upside-down triangle is not a triangle anymore!
The Right Way
A shape is still the same shape even when turned!
Turn your head or spin the paper - it still has 3 sides and 3 corners!
Helpful Tip!
Count the sides and corners. If a shape has 3 sides no matter how you turn it, it's still a triangle!
Pattern Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 4: Looking at Only the Last Item
The Wrong Way
Just seeing the red circle and guessing "red" for next!
The Right Way
Look at the WHOLE pattern from the beginning:
"Red, Blue, Red, Blue, Red... the pattern is Red-Blue!"
After Red comes Blue!
Mistake 5: Not Finding the Repeating Part
The Wrong Way
Thinking the pattern is just "star, star, star..."
The Right Way
Find where the pattern starts over!
Star, Star, Moon | Star, Star, Moon | Star, Star, Moon!
The repeating part is: Star, Star, Moon (AAB pattern)
Helpful Tip!
Use your finger to find where the pattern starts to repeat. Draw a line between each repeat!
Mistake 6: Skipping Ahead Too Fast
The Wrong Way
Rushing and saying "green!" without checking the pattern.
The Right Way
Say the pattern slowly: Green, Yellow, Purple, Green, Yellow...
The pattern is: Green, Yellow, Purple (ABC)
After Yellow comes Purple!
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
Shape Tip 1: Count Sides and Corners
Always count before you name a shape!
Shape Tip 2: Compare Side Lengths
Are all sides the same? It might be a square! Different lengths? Could be a rectangle!
Pattern Tip 1: Say It Out Loud
Read the pattern out loud to hear what repeats.
Pattern Tip 2: Find the Core
Find the smallest part that repeats. That's the pattern core!
Pattern Tip 3: Check Your Answer
After picking an answer, read the whole pattern with your answer to make sure it sounds right!
Practice: Can You Avoid the Mistakes?
Problem 1: Count the corners carefully!
How many corners does this shape have?
Problem 2: Is this a square or rectangle?
What shape is this?
Problem 3: Find the whole pattern first!
What comes next?
Problem 4: Look at the WHOLE pattern!
What comes next?
Problem 5: This triangle is turned - what shape is it?
Even though it's turned, what shape is this?
Problem 6: What's the pattern core?
The pattern repeats. What comes next?
Remember!
- Count corners to identify shapes correctly
- Check side lengths - same = square, different = rectangle
- Rotated shapes are still the same shape!
- Find the pattern core - the part that repeats
- Say patterns out loud to hear what comes next
- Check your answer by reading the whole pattern with it