Tessellation Art Project

Definition: A tessellation is a pattern made up of one or more shapes, completely covering a surface without
any gaps or overlaps. Hence, a polygon whose pattern can completely cover a plane without any gaps or
overlaps is called a tessellation or tiling. The word tessellation comes from the small square ceramic tiles,
called tesserae that Romans used to create mosaic tile designs.

Tessellations are found in many natural forms e.g. honeycombs, scales of snakes, and some crystals. Many
cultures have also used tessellations in their designs. For instance, during the Renaissance, the floors of many
churches in Italy exhibited many different types of tessellations. Various types of tessellations include rotation,
translation or reflection.

Before you start: Read in you book about tessellations. All quadrilaterals can tile a plane by themselves.
The pentagon and the octagon can not. Also, it would be to your benefit to purchase a template with geometric
figures on it or to make you own out of cardboard. Using a pattern will help you to make sure all shapes are
EXACTLY the same size.

Choose a Format:
Decide whether you will do a tessellation by rotation, translation, or reflection. Use can use the stencil
included or another one to determine your base figure. Your artwork must have a title.

Requirements:

1. You must use at least three different shapes (circles are not allowed).
2. You must decide if your tessellation is a rotation, translation, or reflection.
3. You must color your tessellation (at least 2 contrasting colors)
4. You must name your tessellation.
5. Your tessellation image must be larger than 8.5 x 11 (bigger than a sheet of copy or notebook paper)
6. Your rough draft must be hand drawn (on a piece of typing paper) and colored to match the final project
(counts as 1 grade)

Any patterns printed from a computer will automatically fail. You can use the internet to give you ideas
about designs, but you are not permitted to print and color. You can duplicate designs found online as
long as you draw it yourself. All projects must be hand drawn with straight edges and stencils.
Due Dates:
1. Rough Draft (hand drawn) March 3 (A-day classes) or March 4 (B-day classes)
2. Final Project (due in class) March 22 (A-day classes) or March 23 (B-day classes)

You have 6 weeks, including Spring Break, to complete this project.

No late rough drafts or final projects will be accepted.

Grading Requirements

Rough Draft (counts a separate daily grade)---Due March 3rd or March 4th

Hand drawn on a piece of copy paper 50

Colored to match final projects 50

Total: 100 points

Final Project (counts as a separate test grade)---Due March 22rd or March 23rd

Use three or more shapes 30

Identify as rotation, translation, reflection 30
Color and Creativity 10
Larger than 8.5 x 11 20
Name of Tessellation 10

Total: 100 pts.

 Sample Stencils for Tessellation Project

PRINT 4 COPIES --- CUT EACH SHAPE OUT OF CARDSTOCK PAPER. TRACE!!!