First Graders Build Skills Through Patterns

At The Peck School, first graders are discovering that patterns are more than just colorful designs—they are the foundation for problem-solving, sequencing, and even future innovation.

In Homeroom Teacher Cathy Lopez’s first-grade classroom, students are exploring number patterns and transforming them into visual designs using pattern blocks. What begins as a simple sequence quickly grows in complexity as students collaborate, expand on each other’s ideas, and proudly share their creations.

“Patterns help students make connections across subjects,” says Lopez. “When children can see that a hexagon is made up of three triangles, they’re building a deeper understanding of how numbers, shapes, and problem-solving interconnect. Patterns lay the groundwork for higher-level thinking—and even things like computer coding are built on patterns.”

Through hands-on exploration, collaboration, and creativity, Peck’s first graders are learning that patterns are everywhere—shaping the way we see, solve, and create in the world around us.