Introduction on understanding tessellation
Understanding tessellation is a fascinating topic that has many practical applications in our daily lives. It is an excellent way to introduce 2D shapes and their properties to students. It helps them understand how shapes can be combined to form a pattern and fill a space without any gaps. In this blog post, we will cover what tessellation is, the unit shape, and how to create tessellations.
What is Tessellation?
Tessellation is a pattern made by repeating a shape or combination of shapes to completely cover a flat surface. The resulting pattern has no gaps or overlaps. Tessellations are often found in nature, such as the patterns on a honeycomb, fish scales, and bird feathers.
The Unit Shape on understanding tessellation
A unit shape is a shape that is repeated to form a tessellation. It must be possible to join the edges of the shape together in some way. For example, a triangle, square, and hexagon are unit shapes, but a circle and oval are not unit shapes because they cannot be joined together without leaving gaps.
Creating Tessellation
To create tessellations, we need to experiment with different unit shapes and their arrangements. We can use a variety of shapes, including triangles, squares, and hexagons, to create tessellations. In a classroom setting, teachers can provide students with cutouts of different shapes to experiment with.
During the lesson, students can work in groups to make their own tessellations. They should be encouraged to experiment with different shapes and arrangements to find a pattern that works. Once the students have created their tessellations, they can present them to the class, explaining the reasoning behind their choices.
Conclusion on understanding tessellation
Tessellation is an exciting topic that can introduce students to 2D shapes and their properties. It allows students to explore the idea of patterns and symmetry while developing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. By experimenting with different shapes and arrangements, students can create unique tessellations that showcase their creativity and understanding of the concept. The lesson plan outlined in this blog post provides an excellent starting point for teachers to introduce tessellation to their students.
2023-03-21