T 'n' T: Trivia and Tours

This web page is provided as an on-line resource for educators who wish to integrate tessellation-related activities into their classrooms. Through a series of links, activity participants will gain a better understanding of the relationship between tessellation, mathematics and art as well as possible ideas as to how a unit on tessellations can be enriched through the contributions of others throughout the world. It is recommended that you "bookmark" interesting remote resources as you explore these tessellation resources. Remember of course than when you link to a remote site or if you have difficulty navigating, you can always click on your browser's "Back" button repeatedly until you return to this site or familiar surroundings.

• Tessellation Tutorials at: http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html
  This is my favorite resource on tessellation activities. Definitely a "must-see" site. It was Suzanne Alejandre's innovative "tutorials and templates for making your own tessellations" that got me interested in adapting her work for use with "Paint/Paintbrush" software. Mathematics teachers who like her style will want to peruse "Suzanne's Mathematics Lessons" at: http://forum.swarthmore.edu/alejandre/

• Tessellations from Hawaii at: http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/hawaii.html
  This resource is part of the Math Forum's Web Unit on Tessellations and demonstrates how the Geometer's Sketchpad can be used to create tessellations.

• "JavaSketchpad Tessellations" at: http://forum.swarthmore.edu/~sarah/java.gsp/sarah.tessellations.gsp.html
  Although one needs a Java-capable browser and the page is relatively slow loading, it is indeed worth the wait. By dragging two red dots around on two different sketches, one can easily see how tessellation "building blocks" can be manipulated and yet maintain symmetry.

• Highland Middle School Tessellations at: http://www.mcs.net/~highland/tess/tess.html
  An innovative animated tessellation greets web visitors to this school site that provides a sample of their student creativity as well as links to other tessellation resources on the web.

• Eisenhower High Geometry Class at: http://www.crpc.rice.edu/CRPC/GT/bchristo/ike/projects/tessell.html
  This web page demonstrates the beautiful tessellation designs created by some students in Mrs. Long's honors Geometry class. Details of the project are given after the last picture.

• Tessellations - Thomas Freese (Artist-in-Residence) at: http://www.ket.org/Education/CC/ArtOnAir/FreeseGuide.html
  "Thomas Freese shows students how they can make a tessellating stamp and use it to create an interlocking puzzle. The lesson integrates mathematics and art as children use geometry, measurement, repetition, and patterning to create unusual, appealing designs."

• Tessellations - Creative combinations of math, art & fun! at: http://www.tessellations.com/index.html
  Although this web site has a commercial focus, the "Learning" area provides lessons on tessellations while the "Fun" section provides two entertaining tessellation movies (for those users who wish to install the Shockwave plug-ins) and a geometric dissection puzzle to play.

• World of Escher at: http://lonestar.texas.net/~escher/
  A great site to check out Escher art creations. Students may enjoy studying the unique creations of M. C. Escher, a Dutch graphic artist, most recognized for spatial illusions, impossible buildings, and repeating geometric patterns (tessellations). Visit the "Art Museum" to view many Escher tessellation masterpieces.

• World of Escher's Tessellation Contest at: http://lonestar.texas.net/~escher/contest/
  Students might like to submit their tessellation creations or vote on-line for their favourites.

• Escher from the Internet Competition at: http://lonestar.texas.net/~escher/gallery/internet/index.html
  This web page presents Escher-like images generated with computers from people from all over the Internet.

"Let's Get Connected" participants are encouraged to visit and bookmark the "T 'n' T: Talent 'n' Tessellations" web page to view the creativity of students and staff members who have contributed.