I don’t think working with pattern blocks is an aspect of the Montessori education but the other day I taught a small group in my class how to build patterns and create tessellations using them.

At first we started off using two shapes to create an A,B,A,B pattern and upon mastery of creating 2 shape patters, we slowly built our way up to building more complex ones.

Although learning the name of the shapes was not the intention of the lesson, the children were able to learn and identify the shapes by the end of the lesson. This allowed me to realize how easily children can learn new terms.

Another realization I had during this lesson was how teaching can be cross-curricular. Despite the fact that pattern blocks are math materials, the children were able to create works of art when they were building their more complex patterns.

Upon building them, they drew them into their math books and colored their designs as well. This allowed me to check for understanding later as they all recorded their masterpieces.

The children appeared to be enjoying themselves and the class time went by so quickly that the children did not want to clean up at the end of Math period. This showed me that learning does not always need to be “boring” and incorporating new ways of learning can greatly benefit students.