Description: In a lesson designed to integrate math and art, students will learn about Escher and create their own tessellation. A tessellation is created when a shape is repeated over and over again covering a plane without any gaps or overlaps. The project will vary in difficulty based on grade level and skill.
Time:
2 class periods (class period is 50 minutes)
Objectives:
Recognize and explore the properties of tessellations
Identify and examine symmetry in geometric figures
Identify and appreciate the work of M. C. Escher
Construct a tessellation and use it to create a pattern in which there are no empty spaces
Materials:
3 inch square piece of cardboard
Scissors
Tape
Pencils
Large piece of white drawing paper
Black sharpie markers
Crayons
Activity:
Day 1
1. Give each student a square of heavy card stock paper, scissors, tape, and drawing paper.
2. Make a diagram on a board that follows the steps illustrated: simpler shapes for lower grades and more complex shapes for older students.
3. Using their design as a tracing template, they align it with the side of a drawing paper, and trace one stacking column. If they move the bird to the right and interlock the head shapes, they can make another column that interlocks with the first. Continue tracing columns until paper is filled.
Day 2
4. Students will finish tracing their shapes
4. Pencil lines are traced with a black marker and the shapes are colored in with crayon.
4. Pencil lines are traced with a black marker and the shapes are colored in with crayon.
