Tessellations

A WebQuest for 6th Grade Math

  

 

 

Designed by Sharon Turner

Turners3@fultonschools.com

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

The ABC Gift Wrap Company wants to introduce a new line of tessellation wrapping paper designs. They are having a contest to find the winning design! The winner will have their design manufactured to sell in stores such as Target and Walmart. Your design must be a creative and colorful tessellation. Remember you want to wow the judges!

 

The Task

 


        

 

According to the contest rules, you must submit a sample of your wrapping paper design for the judges to review. In your contest submission you will include three basic geometric tessellations, four examples of tessellations with a brief description and your winning design.

 

 

 The Process

In order to submit a successful tessellation sample you will: You will use the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives to create tessellations with geometric shapes.

  • You will create a tessellation with triangles.

  • You will create a tessellation with rectangles.

  • You will create a tessellation with hexagons.

  • Each of the tessellation designs must contain a minimum of 6 shapes.

  • You will print (if computer generated) or draw each of your designs to include in your submission for the contest.

  • Assemble a portfolio of four examples of tessellations. Be sure to include a short description of the geometric shapes included in each example. The description should include 3 to 4 complete sentences describing the tessellation patterns and and their real life applications. Sources may include:

    • Websites

    • Magazines

    • Newspapers

    • Catalogues

  • Design your own tessellation for the wrapping paper contest.

    • The sample design will be submitted on paper provided to you

    • The design must be hand drawn

    • Your final design for the contest should be creative and colorful. Remember you want to wow the contest judges!

  • The final stage of the contest will be a peer judging of the tessellation designs. Each class will vote on the best designs in their class. The class finalists will create ceiling tiles displaying their winning designs. The winners will receive extra credit points for the project.

    Good luck! Do your best work for all of Taylor Road to see!

     

    Resources

    You may find the following websites helpful as you design your wrapping paper tessellation design. Use the sample tessellations to help you design your own.

    •  Totally Tessellation: Examples of tessellations in math and science, decorating, history and more on M.C. Escher.

    Evaluation

    Beginning -         1 point

     Developing -       2 points

    Accomplished - 3 points

     Exemplary -          4 points

     Score

    Basic Designs

    Did not complete all of the basic designs 

     Completed some of the basic designs

    Created most of the basic designs 

    Completed all of the basic designs including the appropriate number of shapes in each design 

     

    Tessellation Samples with descriptions

     Did not assemble a portfolio of examples with description

    Assembled some of the portfolio examples with some completed descriptions 

     Assembled most of the portfolio examples with descriptions

    Assembled the portfolio examples as directed and included all descriptions 

     

    Original Tessellation Design 

    Tessellation design was not complete 

    Very little of the design was completed 

    Original design complete but little creativity 

    Original design is complete, creative and the correct size. 

     

     Understanding

    Attempts but demonstrates no understanding of the problem 

     Minimal understanding of the problem

     Understands the problem

    Excellent understanding of the problem. Shows more than the problem asks

     

    Approach to the Problem 

    Unable to generate any strategies to solve the problem 

     Disorganized approach to the problem

     Work demonstrates some organization

     Work is completely organized

    		 

    Conclusion

     ยท  You are now ready to submit your wrapping paper design to the judges. Can you apply what you have learned about tessellations to other every day applications such as wallpaper, floor tiles, clothing, etc.?

     Credits & Reference

  • Adapted from Tessellation Web quest by Mavis Robbins and Janelle Tango

  • Clip Art from Microsoft Office

  • Rubric adapted from Rubristar.com

    Math Standards

  • M6G1a.Determine and use lines of symmetry

  • b.Investigate rotational symmetry