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Tantalizing Tessellations

Tantalizing Tessellations

Students will explore the life and works of artist M. C. Escher, then create an original tessellation design.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Cardboard

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students explore the works of M. C. Escher (1898-1972) a Dutch artist who was inspired by mathematics. Many of his works connect with the concepts of infinity and contradiction and feature tessellations, which are tiles that cover a surface with no overlaps or gaps. Show examples of some of his tessellations, such as "Two Birds" (1938), "Lizard" (1942), "Twelve Birds" (1948) or any others. 

  • Step 2

    Have students design and create an original tessellation. They can begin by outlining a shape on cardboard or a recycled file folder. Have them cut out the shape to use as a template that they will then use to trace multiple times, fitting the shapes into each other onto another piece of paper. Next have them add color and embellishments to the shapes using markers.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their work, then display the art on a tessellation bulletin board.

Standards

ARTS: Speculate about processes an artist uses to create a work of art. 

MATH: Analyze, compare, create, and compose math ideas using written, oral, and drawn lines, shapes, forms, and patterns. 

Adaptations

Have students explore tessellations in real life, such as snake skin, honeycombs, tile floors, etc. 

Have students explore how math is used in other arts; for example, the iambic meter of poetry or the circle of fifths in music, which saxophonist John Coltrane called "musical geometry."