Skill Development Tessellations encourages children to explore the cognitive and observational skills required to understand relative conservation of space in a two-dimensional, repetitive pattern of an interlocking shape or unit. The activity allows children to learn and review basic geometric terms, definitions, and theory, including regular polygons, lines, angles, points, etc. The activity requires dexterity and coordination of craft materials to create a stamp within acceptable standards. And it allows the child to create a recognizable creature or symbol from an irregular tessellating contour. This lesson helps students understand tessellations through a combination of art and mathematics concepts and then put their intellectual understanding to work through the construction of a paper template of tessellating shape, the use of measurement to make a stamping grid, and the creation of a stamp with a unique and possibly recognizable image.
Students use critical thinking skills such as analyzing, etc.
Students use creative thinking skills to develop or invent novel, constructive ideas or products. Plexiglas scraps are available from hardware, glass, or frame shops. Students could also carve potatoes, erasers, or linoleum blocks to create stamps for this activity. If doublestick foam is not immediately available, you can glue together two layers of craft foam to make the stamps. Craft foam is available from arts and crafts stores.