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Re: Tessellations

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From: Nancy Walkup (walkup_at_TeacherArtExchange)
Date: Thu Apr 19 2001 - 06:50:47 PDT

In mathematical terms, a tessellation is a tiling of a plane without any
gaps or overlaps by a pattern of congruent shapes - shapes that are
exactly the same in shape and size. Start with discussing congruent
shapes and show examples. It is easy to show how are they are the same
size and shape by stacking them in your hand. Simple ones are squares
and equilateral triangles. Show examples of Escher's work, though he
certainly deviated from mathematical concepts. There are commercial sets
available of tessellations based on Escher's lizards - they are helpful
in demonstrating how tessellations work.

Congruent shapes first show up in Texas in the third grade assessment
all students must take.

Pam Stephens and Jim McNeill have a new children's book out on
tessellations that depicts all the steps. Crystal Productions just
published it.

Nancy 

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