Tessellating with Geometry

5^th Grade Web Activity

Contents

Introduction

Task

Process

Resources

Helpers

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever noticed eye-appealing patterns such as shirt ties, floor tiles, or honeycomb? Each of these is related to our study of Geometry in a special way. Each is a tessellation. Learn what constitutes a tessellation and create one of your own in this web project.

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Task

 Learn the definition of a tessellation

 Identify various "moves" of the "fundamental unit"

 Create a simple tessellation using "TesselMania" and print it.

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Process

1. Visit the web sites. Search for the definition of a tessellation, a fundamental unit, and examples of moves.

2. Hand in definition and examples of three moves (draw out).

3. Using the "TesselMania" computer program, create your own tessellation and print it.

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Resources

 "Totally Tessellated" http://library.advanced.org/16661/

 "How to Make a Tessellation" http://members.tripod.com/~kateDC/tess.htm

 "M.C. Escher and Optical Illusions" http://www.geocities.com/soho/museum/3828/

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Helpers

For extra help, consult the Math Vantage video "Tessellations/Transformations" from Mrs. Morrow or check out any of M.C. Escher's books or artwork. Our math book is always a resource to turn to for help!

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Conclusion

To understand how geometrical shapes can move and still touch is to understand a lot about geometry. Not only that, but tessellations are a work of creativity and art! Create another and another... how elaborate and creative can you get and still be able to use it for a math assignment!?!?

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Last Revised: April 1, 1999