Tessellations
The artwork of M. C. Escher appeals to most people, regardless of their feelings about mathematics.
M. C. Escher was not a mathematician but his artwork was highly mathematical. Here are two Escher-esque
activities to include in a math night.
Coloring tessellating shapes
We have found that this activity is popular with all ages. We make copies of a shape that tessellates and the
kids each color one shape and cut it out. Then they each tape their shape to a wall or a posterboard to make a
large tiling. We have included a collection of drawings in PDF format which you can print and copy. They all
fit onto (and fill) a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
Tessellating Tubas
Making Escher-type Tilings
This activity may appeal more to middle-school children than to elementary children. The instructions for
making a shape which tiles are here and in PDF format:
Materials required:
4x6 index cards, tape, scissors. Leave some of the cards whole. Cut some of them into 4" squares and some into
equilateral triangles with perpendicular height of 4". (Or make the cutting part of the activity.)
Instructions:
You can make your own decorative tessellating tiles using the index cards. Choose one cardstock shape. There are rectangles, squares and triangles available.
Once you have made your tile you can trace it on paper to make your tiling. Then decorate it!
Rectangle or Square
1. Cut off part of the bottom edge of the rectangle. (You can do it in any shape you like). Glue what you cut
off to the top of the rectangle.
2. Cut off part of the left side of the rectangle.
Glue what you cut off to the right side.
3. You can cut part of the top edge off, if you like, and glue it to the bottom edge.
4. You can cut off part of the right side, if you like, and glue it to the left side.
Equilateral Triangle
1. Cut a shape out of one side of the triangle.
2. You can choose to leave one edge of the triangle straight, or you can cut the same shape out of
another side of the triangle. Use the piece you cut out to trace the shape you will cut.
3. Tape the piece you cut out onto one other side of the triangle.
4. You can cut out a piece from the side you just taped (in the example, it's the little triangle)
and then you need to make a copy of it from the spare cardstock and tape both of them to the other two sides of the triangle.
Instructions in PDF format
Written Apr 2, 2001
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