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A tessellation is a pattern made up of one or more shapes, completely covering a surface without any gaps or overlaps.
Tessellations are sometimes called tilings. Tessellations are evident in the art of M.C. Escher, in crystal growth in nature, and in some mathematical endeavors.
Sample some of the following activities to learn more about tessellations.
Places To Go
People To See Things To Do Teacher Resources Bibliography
Places To GoThe following are places to go (some real and some virtual) to find out about tessellations.
The Escher Museum in the Netherlands
Escher in Het Paleis opened in November 2002. Since then more than 70,000 visitors each year have passed through its doors. The Escher collection belonging to The Hague Gemeentemuseum forms the museum’s core.
Escher in Het Paleis opened in November 2002. Since then more than 70,000 visitors each year have passed through its doors. The Escher collection belonging to The Hague Gemeentemuseum forms the museum’s core.
The Official M.C. Escher
Web site
On this website you can find information about the use of M.C. Escher's work, a short biography, news, bibliography, links and some fun stuff like a Virtual Ride through some of his works.
On this website you can find information about the use of M.C. Escher's work, a short biography, news, bibliography, links and some fun stuff like a Virtual Ride through some of his works.
Tessellations.org
This website is a great place to begin learning about how to tessellations. It is written for students.
This website is a great place to begin learning about how to tessellations. It is written for students.
Tessellation
Tutorials
Travel to Spain and the Middle East and view the tilings and tessellation evident in some of their Moorish architecture. Choose "Historical and Geographic Connections" from the menu of this site.
Travel to Spain and the Middle East and view the tilings and tessellation evident in some of their Moorish architecture. Choose "Historical and Geographic Connections" from the menu of this site.
People To SeeM.C. Escher
Article on the mathematical art of M.C. Escher, with emphasis on inspiring the student to see mathematics with fresh eyes.
Article on the mathematical art of M.C. Escher, with emphasis on inspiring the student to see mathematics with fresh eyes.
M.C.
Escher: Artist or Mathematician
Meet Maurits Corneille (M.C.) Escher and view some of his unique tessellations. He was a Dutch graphic artist who created "visual riddles".
Meet Maurits Corneille (M.C.) Escher and view some of his unique tessellations. He was a Dutch graphic artist who created "visual riddles".
Tessellation Town on Tile Island
The learner manipulates tiles to create a town leading to an understanding of tessellations.
The learner manipulates tiles to create a town leading to an understanding of tessellations.
World of Escher
This web site explores the great M.C. Escher artworks. Each image has commentary and a zoom mode. Online tesselation contests, reading material and secure shopping area for the 170 Escher related products.
This web site explores the great M.C. Escher artworks. Each image has commentary and a zoom mode. Online tesselation contests, reading material and secure shopping area for the 170 Escher related products.
Things To DoCool Math: Tessellations
Use these simple explanations and illustrations to teach the pattern concept of tessellation.
Use these simple explanations and illustrations to teach the pattern concept of tessellation.
Symmetry
and Tessellation
Find 30 classroom activities and lessons dealing with symmetry, tessellation, or M.C. Escher.
Find 30 classroom activities and lessons dealing with symmetry, tessellation, or M.C. Escher.
Tessellations
Combine tessellations and geometry. This activity takes you through the steps of using the Mecc software, TesselMania.
Combine tessellations and geometry. This activity takes you through the steps of using the Mecc software, TesselMania.
Totally
Tessellated
Learn about the history of tessellation. Johannes Kepler, the 16th century German mathematician and astronomer, worked with tessellations.
Learn about the history of tessellation. Johannes Kepler, the 16th century German mathematician and astronomer, worked with tessellations.
Teacher ResourcesLesson Plans/Webquests
Virtual Field Trips are teacher and student-created
tours of curricular topics. (You can learn how to use this UEN Virtual
Field Trip tool created by UEN for Utah educators).
Bibliography- Ernst, Bruno. The Magic Mirror of M.C. Escher. Stradbroke: Tarquin, c1985.
- Escher, M. C. The Graphic Work: Introduced and Explained by the Artist. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1994.
- Escher, M. C. Escher on Escher: Exploring the Infinite. New York : H.N. Abrams, 1989.
- Escher, M. C. M. C. Escher: Twenty-nine Master Prints. New York: Abrams, 1983, c1981.
- Escher, M. C. The Magic of M.C. Escher. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000.
- M.C. Escher: His life and Complete Graphic Work, With a Fully Illustrated Catalog. New York: Abradale Press/Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1992.
- Sachs, Michael S. The Pop-up book of M. C. Escher. Petaluma, Calif. : Pomegranate Artbooks, c1991.
- Schattschneider, Doris. Visions of Symmetry: Notebooks, Periodic Drawings, and Related Work of M.C. Escher. New York: W.H. Freeman, c1990.
- Schattschneider, Doris. M.C. Escher Kaleidocycles. Corte Madera, Calif. : Pomegranate Artbooks, 1987.