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Nature Patterns and Shapes

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Nature Patterns and Shapes

Nature Patterns and Shapes

Natural patterns and shapes in nature

🌿 Part 1: Identifying Shapes in Nature

1. Circle the shapes you can find in nature:

Tapawhā (Rectangle) - in tree bark patterns

Porowhita (Circle) - in flower centres

Triāona (Triangle) - in leaf shapes

Koru (Spiral) - in fern fronds

2. Which natural object shows the best example of whakaruru (symmetry)?

A butterfly's wings

A twisted tree branch

A pile of rocks

A flowing river

3. Draw a leaf that shows whakaruru (symmetry). Draw a line down the middle to show the symmetry:

🎨 Part 2: Patterns and Tūwharetoa Connections

4. Fill in the blanks about patterns in nature:

The koru pattern represents _____________ and can be found in _____________ fronds. This pattern is important to Tūwharetoa people because it shows _____________.

5. Match the Māori words with their English meanings:
1. Pātahanga
2. Whakaruru
3. Kōwhaiwhai
4. Porowhita
A. Circle
B. Traditional painted patterns
C. Pattern
D. Symmetry
6. Design your own kōwhaiwhai pattern using shapes found in nature:

🔍 Part 3: Observing Natural Objects

7. Look at a natural object (leaf, shell, flower). Describe what shapes and patterns you can see:
8. Which of these shows a repeating pattern?

Spots on a ladybird

Segments on a pinecone

A single pebble

One flower petal

9. Draw three different natural objects that show different types of symmetry:

🌺 Part 4: Creating and Connecting

10. How do patterns in nature connect to Tūwharetoa legends and stories?
11. Complete this sentence using mathematical vocabulary:

Kei te kite au i te _____________ (I see a _____________) i roto i tēnei _____________ (in this _____________).

12. Plan your contribution to the class collage. What natural shapes and patterns will you include?
13. Why is it important to show respect (manaakitanga) when collecting natural objects for our maths learning?

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