The aim of this activity is to allow pupils to create their own shape and write about it.

The activity may be linked to a problem that you have set. For example, give the pupils two members of a series on the whiteboard then ask them to create the third and fourth members on the screen. They then have to explain the rule (in words). Alternatively the teacher can state a relationship and then ask the pupils to create the pattern using the matchsticks.

Why not print the completed picture? If you clicked on the browser Print button only the background image will be printed. This is the same for all Flash produced web programs. Printing the complete image from within the Flash program gives a very large file size which takes an excessive time to print. It is possible to use the Print Scrn facility. As another alternative we have provided the 'draw a copy' option.

This activity is a 'companion' version of the Matchstick Sequencing activity where pupils are presented with a progressive series of sequence problems to solve.

Pupil Notes

You can use this activity to create your own series of patterns and work out the relationship between each pattern.

You can also use the endless pile of matchsticks to create your own shapes.

Try making a hexagon and then adding another hexagon to it. When you have made your shape print the worksheet and copy the pattern onto it.