View Cart
NCTM Store

Patch Tool

  • Patch Tool

    Grade: PreK to 2nd, 3rd to 5th

    Quilters and other designers sometimes start by producing square patches with a pattern on them. These square patches are then repeated and connected to produce a larger pattern. Create your own patch using the shapes in the tool below.
    This interactive is optimized for your desktop and tablet.

    Activity

    Instructions

    • Along the top, click on any shape and drag it onto the canvas; or, double-click on any shape to have a copy placed on the canvas.
    • The buttons along the left allow you to modify your design.
      • Activate the eraser, and remove any shape by clicking on it.
      • Activate the spin tool, then click on a shape to rotate it.
      • Activate the flip tool, then click on a shape to reflect it top to bottom.
      • Activate the grid tool, and two objects placed near one another will snap together.
       
    • If you click on the button in the upper left corner, a menu of shapes will be displayed. Select one of these shapes, and then try to build it. An outline of the shape will appear on the canvas, and the "Hint" button can be used to see one possible solution.
    • If you want to save your work, click on the picture of the floppy disk at the upper right. Enter your name. Your image will open in a new pop-up window. Right-click on the image to save it. If nothing happens after you enter your name, you will need to allow pop-ups.
    • If you want to print your work or save it as a PDF, click on the printer icon and follow the instructions in your browser.
     

    Exploration

    Use the available shapes to create a patch of your own design.
    1. What features does your patch have that you find interesting?
    2. Was there a shape that was harder or easier to fit with other shapes? If so, why?
    3. If you put several copies of your patch together, how would they match up?
    4. When did you have to flip a shape? Could you have rotated the shape instead?
     

    Objectives and Standards

    NCTM Standards and Expectations
    • Understand that by similarity, side ratios in right triangles are properties of the angles in the triangle, leading to definitions of trigonometric ratios for acute angles.
    • Pre-K - 2
    • 3-5
    • Geometry