Wrapping Paper Patterns

Pat made a present for his mother and needed some gift wrap for it. He couldn’t find any so he decided to design some himself. Pat only had one shape to use for his pattern. Can you help Pat make a pattern using only one shape? Most shapes can be moved in 3 different ways. They can slide, flip, or turn.

When you slide a figure it is moved in a straight line to a different place. Its shape or size does not change, only its location. Look at the triangles. Click on the one in each number that will be the next shape if you slide this figure.

When you flip a figure it is moved over a line. It can be flipped like a page in a book. It can also be flipped to the left, or up or down. Its size and shape do not change.

Click on the figure that would be the next flip.

When a figure is turned, it is moved around a point. The figure is turned around one of its corners.

Click on the letter of the figure that would be the next turn.

Look at the figures on the next page. Select slid if the figure has been slid, flipped is the figure has been flipped, or turned if the figure has been turned.

Type in the correct word.

1. To move a figure over a line you it.

2. To move a figure to a different place but with the same look, you it.

3. To move a figure around one of its points you it.

Now that you know that figures can be slid, flipped, or turned, let’s see if you can help Pat figure out what pattern to use for his wrapping paper. If Pat slides his shape two times what will the next two shapes look like? Click on the correct answer.

Pat liked that pattern but he wanted to try another one. Help him decide what the pattern would look like if he turned the next two shapes. Click on the letter under the correct shapes.

Now you know how to make a pattern using slides, flips, and turns. Decide what pattern you would like to make using one type of movement and the shape that Pat used for his wrapping paper. Get a piece of paper and draw your pattern across the top of it. Hint: draw the shape, cut it out, then use it for a pattern

You may start this shape in any position.