What is a tessellation?

• A tessellation is a pattern of repeating figures that fit together with NO overlapping or empty spaces.

• Tessellations are formed using transformation.

• Transformations:

– Translation**

– Rotation**

– Reflection**

– Dilation

Examples of Tessellation Art

More examples of Tessellation Artists

• http://tessellations.org/index.htm

Project Directions

1. Start with a template piece – Must be a REGULAR polygon (squares work well)

2. Choose one of the following transformations – Translation – Glide Reflection (translation with reflection) – Rotation – Mid-point Rotation

3. Practice with template on computer paper. 4. Trace your final product on to white card stock (9x12). 5. Color and decorate 6. Mount onto construction paper

Translation Tessellation (EASY)

For simple translation tessellations, your starting polygon should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent. Squares, hexagons, and parallelograms work best.

1.

Draw a design on one side of the square and slide it to opposite side.

Tape the cutout pieces to opposite sides. Slide (translation) the pattern when tracing.

Start with a square

2. 3. 4.

Draw another design on the adjacent side of the square and slide it to opposite side.

Translation Tessellation (HARD) You can create more complex designs starting with square

tessellations and making changes on both pairs of sides.

Depending how you decide to color your tessellation, a very simple design can have a very creative result.

Glide Reflection Tessellation

For glide reflection tessellations, your polygons should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent. Squares, hexagons, and parallelograms work best.

*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a glide reflection for both.

Rotation Tessellation

For rotation tessellations, the adjacent sides of the polygon must be congruent. Squares, equilateral triangles, regular hexagons, and rhombi work best.

*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a rotation tessellation

for both.

Midpoint Rotation Tessellations

• Triangles, squares, and quadrilaterals work best for this type.

*You can make this one more difficult by cutting out two pieces from different sides and doing a mid-point rotation

for both.

Example: Rotational

Tessellation

Criteria Excellent Good Okay Not done

Degree of Difficulty

The difficulty and intricacy of the

template you made and the

difficulty of the type of

transformation you choose.

10 9 8

2 cut-outs

7 6 5 4

2 or 1 cut-outs

3 2 1

1cut-out 0

Complexity of Decoration

The detail, coloring and creativity

of your final product.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Appearance

Figured must be centered, no

stray marks showing, no blank

space, and final product should

be mounted on construction

paper.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Proper Transformation Used

A correct use of translation, glide

reflection, rotation or mid-point

rotation must be used.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Followed Directions

On the front of you final product

you must give your artwork a

title, your name and type of

tessellation.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Grade