Butterfly life cycle pattern mats let kids build repeating patterns with butterflies, caterpillars, leaves and chrysalis pictures. Pattern practice feels brand new when every piece ties right into your butterfly unit.

These hands-on kindergarten math activities give children a visual way to copy, extend and create patterns in your math centers. With AB, AABB, ABC and ABBA mats in one set, it is easy to start simple and add challenge as children grow.

With this butterfly pattern activity set, you get

• Four pattern levels: AB, AABB, ABC and ABBA
• Butterfly life cycle picture cards to build each pattern
• Blank pattern cards for extra practice
• Coordinating cut and paste pattern worksheets
• A math center that connects to your science theme

Print, laminate and let the pattern building begin.

What's Included

• AB pattern mats
• AABB pattern mats
• ABC pattern mats
• ABBA pattern mats
• Blank pattern cards
• Butterfly life cycle picture cards
• Coordinating cut and paste pattern worksheets

Use the reusable mats for hands-on centers and the worksheets for paper practice and review.

Why Teachers Love It

• Four levels in one set: AB, AABB, ABC and ABBA mats make it simple to differentiate with the same butterfly theme.
• Hands-on and visual: Children see the pattern, build it with picture pieces and finish each strip.
• Math and science together: Butterfly life cycle pictures tie your math block right into your butterfly unit.
• Reusable mats: Laminate the mats and picture cards once and use them all through your butterfly unit or spring centers.
• Paper follow-up included: Cut and paste worksheets give children another way to show what they know.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Identifying patterns: Children notice what repeats in each strip of butterfly pictures.
• Extending patterns: Children decide what comes next and place the matching picture.
• Creating patterns: Blank pattern cards give children room to build their own repeating patterns.
• Visual discrimination: Children look closely at similar butterfly life cycle pictures to find the right match.
• Early math reasoning: Moving from AB to ABBA patterns builds problem solving and math confidence.
• Fine motor skills: Placing picture pieces and cutting and pasting on the worksheets build small-muscle control.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Working independently
• Maintaining attention
• Making and checking predictions
• Using mathematical language

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the pattern mats, picture cards and coordinating worksheets. Laminate the mats and picture cards if you want to reuse them throughout your butterfly unit or spring centers.

Step 2: Set out the mats that best fit your students' current needs. Start with simpler repeating patterns and move into more advanced pattern types as students gain confidence.

Step 3: Students look at the pictures on each strip, decide what comes next and place the matching butterfly life cycle image in the empty spaces. Afterward, they complete the coordinating worksheets for extra practice.

Easy Differentiation

Some children are just starting to notice patterns while others are ready for trickier ones. The four levels let you meet each child where they are.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with the AB pattern mats
• Say the pattern aloud together, such as "egg, caterpillar, egg, caterpillar"
• Set out only the picture cards needed for one mat
• Model the first strip before children work on their own

For On-Level Practice

• Move to the AABB and ABC pattern mats
• Complete the coordinating cut and paste worksheets
• Read each pattern aloud after finishing a strip
• Check work with a partner

For an Extra Challenge

• Try the ABBA pattern mats
• Use the blank pattern cards to create a new pattern
• Name the pattern with letters, such as ABBA
• Make a pattern for a partner to extend

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Name each picture together to build butterfly vocabulary
• Use a short language frame such as "Next comes the ___."
• Use larger picture cards and fewer strips at a time
• Practice cutting and pasting for fine motor work
• Give extra time and model each step first

Perfect For

• Kindergarten math centers
• Pre-k pattern practice
• Small group math lessons
• Butterfly life cycle units
• Spring math centers
• Independent work tubs
• Early finishers
• Homeschool math

Standards

These butterfly pattern mats support the 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and Virginia's Early Learning and Development Standards (2021), plus kindergarten and 1st grade pattern standards in the Virginia Math SOL (2023):

Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines

• Texas Pre-K Guidelines PK4.V.E.3: Recognize, copy, extend and create patterns with the AB, AABB, ABC and ABBA mats.

Virginia Early Learning and Development Standards

• Virginia ELDS CD3.4: Sort, classify and pattern with butterfly life cycle pictures.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.a: Identify and describe the core found in a repeating pattern.
• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.b: Extend a repeating pattern by adding at least two more repetitions of the core.
• VA SOL Math K.PFA.1.c: Create and describe a repeating pattern using pictures on the blank pattern cards.
• VA SOL Math 1.PFA.1: Identify, describe, extend and create repeating patterns using pictures.

Check out what other educators are saying:

★★★★★ Winnie L. wrote, “I had a tough time finding butterfly theme activities that can be used for younger children. Glad that these activities are available and that students can practice numerous skills with it!”

★★★★★ Michelle H. wrote, “So excited for my butterfly unit!”

Add the Butterfly Life Cycle Pattern Mats to your cart and have a hands-on pattern center ready for your butterfly unit. Print, laminate and watch your learners copy, extend and create patterns one butterfly at a time!

This activity is included in my Butterfly Life-Cycle Cross-Curricular Bundle for K-1 at a reduced price. Do not purchase both.

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

• On the 'thank you' page after checkout
• In your email
• Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account