Pattern Blocks Online Manipulative

One of the interactive manipulatives that I found on http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html that was in each category for grade levels wast called Pattern Blocks.

I love using Pattern Blocks with students.  They are a great way to show fractions for older students and the younger students can build items with them while getting familiar with different shapes.

The directions for the K-2 section:

Pattern blocks are great for making and describing patterns. To complete this activity:

1. Create a pattern by combining trapezoid and triangle blocks.

We could describe this pattern as "a square block followed by a triangular block". We often shorten descriptions in math so it takes less space to write. One common way to shorten a description is to use single letters in place of words. 
For example we can describe the "a square block followed by a triangular block" pattern as an AB pattern. We call the square block "A" and the second block "B".
If you connect 3 "A" blocks together, you would have an AAA pattern. Likewise, if you combined three "B" blocks together you would have a BBB pattern.
2. Make a wall using an ABAB pattern.
3. Make a star using an AAAAAA pattern.

The directions for the 3-5 section:

1. Add 5 squares to the workspace.
2. Color 3 squares blue.
You describe the result as: "3 of the 5 squares are blue".
A mathematical description would be "3/5".

Distinguishing and describing parts of a group is an important introduction to rational numbers.

The directions for the 6-8 section:

1. Consider how each pattern block can be a whole unit, or part of a larger whole unit.
If you call the blue diamond pattern block 1 unit, which pattern block would be 1/2 a unit?
If you call the yellow hexagon 1 unit, which pattern block would be 1/2 unit?
If the blue diamond is 1/2 unit, make a shape that is 1 unit.
If the blue diamond is 1/4 unit, make a shape that is 1 unit.
If the green triangle is one unit, which pattern block is equivalent to three units?
If the green triangle is one unit, which pattern block is equivalent to six units? 
2. Make a shape that is 2 1/2 times the size of a green triangle.
3. Make a shape that is 3 1/2 the size of a blue diamond.

Any shape can be a whole unit, or a part of a larger unit. Whole numbers describe when a shape is a whole unit, or a multiple of a whole unit. Rational numbers can describe when a shape is part of a larger whole.

The directions for the 9-12 section:

1. Consider how each pattern block can be a whole unit, or part of a larger whole unit.
If you call the blue diamond pattern block 1 unit, which pattern block would be 1/2 a unit?
If you call the yellow hexagon 1 unit, which pattern block would be 1/2 unit?
If the blue diamond is 1/2 unit, make a shape that is 1 unit.
If the blue diamond is 1/4 unit, make a shape that is 1 unit.
If the green triangle is one unit, which pattern block is equivalent to three units?
If the green triangle is one unit, which pattern block is equivalent to six units? 
2. Make a shape that is 2 1/2 times the size of a green triangle.
3. Make a shape that is 3 1/2 the size of a blue diamond.

Any shape can be a whole unit, or a part of a larger unit. Whole numbers describe when a shape is a whole unit, or a multiple of a whole unit. Rational numbers can describe when a shape is part of a larger whole.

So as you can see, you can vary levels when playing with pattern blocks.  I have only used them with the younger students and they absolutely love building things with them.