Ask the kids to repeat the procedure till the entire paper is utilized. Then place the piece next to the cut region and cut a symmetrical shape. For that, take a sheet of craft or plain paper, cut the desired shape from one corner of the sheet. Or involve the kids right from cutting symmetrical patterns. Ask them to tile the cardboard using those pieces. You could give the kids a rectangular or square-shaped cardboard and pieces of paper cut into various shapes. Cut out some tessellations, or cut multiple shapes of craft paper and give the kids a plain surface to tessellate using those shapes. In case you plan to use plain paper, use crayons or paints to color it. Making Tessellations with Kidsįor making tessellations with kids, you’ll need craft papers of different colors, a cardboard sheet, a pair of scissors, and glue. See how irregularly shaped figures fit into each other to bring out an interesting tessellated pattern. Jigsaw puzzles are a classic example of semi-regular tessellations. Now, if the vertex configuration is to be the same or that the vertices are to look alike, the number of sides meeting at each vertex should be the same. Well, a vertex is the point at which all corners meet. Now, explain to the kids what you mean by vertices looking the same. In semi-regular tessellations, each vertex may not look the same and the shapes tiling the surface are regular polygons of different types. The characteristic of regular tessellations is that the shapes tiling the surface are regular polygons and of the same type and each vertex looks the same. Regular tessellations tile a surface, leaving no gaps or overlaps. Primarily, tessellations are of two types, regular and semi-regular. It will help them relate to the subject better. While introducing kids to the history of tessellations, try to show them some tessellation examples in art. It also led to studies in types of tessellations (regular and semi-regular) and which shapes can be used to make tessellations and how. His work led to further study of tessellations from the mathematical point of view. Federov, a Russian crystallographer proved that tessellation of a plain can be done in any of the 17 groups of isometries. They are closely associated with math and crystallography as well. Tessellations are not limited to just art. Nikolas Schiller is an American map artist known for his kaleidoscopic aerial photography, which can be called an indirect application of tessellations. Examples of tessellations are found in ancient and modern art.Īrtworks of the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Tessellations in the form of tiled walls and flooring are part of ancient architectural styles and designs. The word ‘tessellation’ is derived from the Latin word tessella, which means a small cubical piece of clay, glass, or stone. Each surface of the cube is a regular tessellation of squares. A Rubik’s cube is an interesting example of tessellations.

Easy math tessellation