Session 1
What is Tessellation?
A tessellation of a flat surface is tiling using shapes with no overlaps and no gaps. It has a repeating pattern.
Tessellation may have functions such as providing durable and water-resistant pavement.
Historically, tessellations were used in Ancient Rome and in Islamic art such as in the decorative geometric tiling of the Alhambra palace.
In the twentieth century, Dutch artist M. C. Escher used tessellations, for artistic effect. Tessellations can be seen in quilting.
Tessellations form a class of patterns in nature, for example in the arrays of hexagonal cells found in honeycombs.
Learn to Tessellate 1
Can’t Wait to Tessellate (Flash Game)
Can you pick the shapes which can be tessellated?
Can you pick the shapes which can be tessellated?
Session 2
Examples of Tessellation
Pinterest Tessellation Examples
Learn to Tessellate 2
Pinterest Examples of Rhombus cube patterns.
Session 3
Examples of Tessellation Art
Pinterest Escher Tessellation Examples
Pinterest Nakamura Tessellation Examples
Pinterest Bailey Tessellation Examples
Learn to Tessellate 3
Translation Tessellation using the Slice method.
A translation in geometry is a movement that moves every point of a figure or a space by the same distance in a given direction.
Watch these two videos and then try it yourself.
Session 4
Tessellations in nature
Pinterest Examples of Tessellations in Nature
Quiz: Can You Identify These Animals From Their Close-Ups?
Learn to Tessellate 4
Make a tessellation bird. (password protected)
Session 5
Tessellation Quiz
How much do you know about Tessellation?
Tessellation Quiz
How much do you know about Tessellation?
Extension Activity
Tessellation Colouring Templates