Tessellations by TesselMania!

Now that you have learned about three common types of tessellation, you will have the chance to use a program called TESSELMANIA! to further explore these ideas.

First start by opening TesselMania! on your computer.

Click on the center rectangle to move on.

Notice the moving fish tesselation. We will not be making animated tessellations, but it works well here for an introduction.

For this part you need to just sit back, grab your pencil and the worksheet chart that should have been handed out by your teacher. You will probably be working in groups. Make sure that each person in your group has a worksheet and can see the computer screen.

You now will be watching ten different tessellations. The program will show you how each tessellation is made. Your job is just to watch, the computer program will show you one tessellation, demonstrate how it is made, and then move on to the next tessellation shape on its own. For each tessellation fill in the row on your worksheet.

The first step is to sketch the shape that starts the tessellation.

The next step is to decide which type or method of tessellation is being used. You previously learned about three methods, check off the one you think is being used: TRANSLATION, ROTATION, or GLIDE REFLECTION. If you're not sure, check off under the "Not Sure" column.

REMEMBER, THE COMPUTER PROGRAM WILL GO ON TO THE NEXT TESSELLATION ON ITS OWN!

Chart for Tessellation Examples

Which tessellation was your favorite? ________________________________

Why was this your favorite? ____________________________________________