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
–
–
–
–
3.
4.
5.
6.
Translation
Glide Reflection (translation with reflection)
Rotation
Mid-point Rotation
Practice with template on computer paper.
Trace your final product on to white card stock (9x12).
Color and decorate
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.
Translation
Tessellation
(HARD)
You can create more complex designs starting with square
tessellations and making changes on both pairs of sides.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Start with a
square
Draw a design on
one side of the
square and slide
it to opposite
side.
Draw another
design on the
adjacent side of
the square and
slide it to
opposite side.
Tape the cutout
pieces to opposite
sides. Slide
(translation) the
pattern when
tracing.
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
Grade
Criteria
Degree of Difficulty
The difficulty and intricacy of the
template you made and the
difficulty of the type of
transformation you choose.
Complexity of Decoration
The detail, coloring and creativity
of your final product.
Appearance
Figured must be centered, no
stray marks showing, no blank
space, and final product should
be mounted on construction
paper.
Proper Transformation Used
A correct use of translation, glide
reflection, rotation or mid-point
rotation must be used.
Followed Directions
On the front of you final product
you must give your artwork a
title, your name and type of
Excellent
Good
Okay
Not done
10 9 8
2 cut-outs
7 6 5 4
2 or 1 cut-outs
3 2 1
1cut-out
0
10 9 8
7 6 5 4
3 2 1
0
10 9 8
7 6 5 4
3 2 1
0
10 9 8
7 6 5 4
3 2 1
0
10 9 8
7 6 5 4
3 2 1
0