Tessellation – a

repeating pattern of
closed shapes that
covers a surface with
no gaps and no
overlaps.
Only a regular polygon like the

Square Triangle Hexagon

could be tessellated.
.
THREE DIFFERENT WAYS TO TESSELLATE
A GIVEN SHAPE:
1) Translation (slide)
2) Reflection (flip)
3) Rotation
Translation (slide) –
A movement of a shape to a new position
along a straight line
Reflection (flip) –
A movement of a shape to a new position by
flipping the shape over a line
Rotation –
A movement of a shape to a new position by
moving the shape around a point.
Rotation –
A movement of a shape to a new position by
moving the shape around a point.
Now, let’s discover
how to make
your own
tessellating shape!
 Start with a regular polygon, like a square
(it could also be a triangle, hexagon, or octagon)
Draw two lines (red) on the side of the square.
Then cut out the triangular
. shape, translate and
tape the shape to the other side of the square.
Here is your tessellating shape.
Now it is time to imagine what
you have created.

Maybe it’s a fish

The fish becomes a school
. of fish!
Now imagine another idea with the same
tessellating shape.

Maybe it’s a ….!

 .
Maybe it’s a Kitten!
Which becomes a whole litter of kittens!
 Let’s
Tessellate!
 Now it is time to make your own
tessellating shape.
Trace the shape and fill your paper with no
gaps or overlaps.

Remember, you can make a transformation

by translating, reflecting, or rotating your
shape.
Decide what your shape can be.

Add details to it, repeating them in all

the shapes you trace.

Add color to make your tessellation

come to life.

Repeating color patterns

look best.
Lets make a simple tessellating shape