This document provides an introduction to a student project on tessellations. It discusses tessellations created by Dutch artist M.C. Escher and the different types of tessellations that can be made through translations, glide reflections, and rotations of shapes. The document provides examples of each type and suggestions for students to design their own tessellation template and finished tessellation project. Students are expected to turn in their completed tessellation and template for grading by a due date.

1. Tessellation Project
Today we will discuss the requirements and
expectations for your Tessellation projects and
you will receive a brief introduction to the
different types of tessellations. This is an
individual project.

2. Tessellation Project
 Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 – 1972) was a
Dutch artist famous for his repetitive,
interlocking pattern. His works look like
paintings but were done by woodcarving and
lithographs.
 Escher’s designs are made from variations on
tiling patterns called tessellations. A floor
covered by square tiles is an example of a
tessellation of squares.

3. Tessellations & Transformations
Tessellations can be modified by using
transformations. As you know,
transformations are movements of
geometric figures. One transformation,
commonly used to create tessellations is
a slide, or translation, of a figure.

4. Translation Tessellations
For simple translation tessellations, polygons should have
opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares,
hexagons, parallelograms.

5. Example: Translation Tessellation
You can create more complex designs starting with
square tessellations and making changes on both
pairs of sides.

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

7. Glide Reflection Tessellation
For glide reflection tessellations, polygons should have
opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares,
hexagons, parallelograms.

8. Example
By reflecting and gliding
over more than one side, you
can create a more complex
tessellation.

9. Adding coloring and features will enhance the artwork.

10. Tessellation created by Rotation
Adjacent sides must be congruent – squares, equilateral
triangles, regular hexagons, rhombi

11. Midpoint Rotations
 Triangles, Squares, and Quadrilaterals
Note: More than one side may be altered for more challenging designs. Coloring
one side of the pattern will help prevent accidental flipping during tracing.

12. Example:
Rotational
Tessellation

14. Suggestions
 READ THE PACKET first before trying your
tessellation. There is a lot of good information in the
packet that will help you in deciding on which type
of tessellation to do and in creating your tessellation.
 A template that is approximately 2 inches by 2
inches will work well to create an 8 ½ by 11 inch
tessellation.

15. Suggestions
 Try out several designs, by cutting and taping paper
together until you find something you like.
 When you have decided on a design, create your
template on a stiff material – heavy cardstock or a
file folder seem to work well for creating a sturdy
template that can be traced over and over.
 Be creative. Your design should not look like any of
the designs in the packet or in this presentation.
 Remember: Finding a design online and copying it
is plagiarism.

16. Tessellation Project
 Your project is due on WEdnesday, January
30th at the beginning of class. Grading criteria
is in your packet.
 On the due date, you must turn in your
completed tessellation, your template.
 Do NOT wait until the last minute!!!!!