Tessellations consist of one shape used to tile a surface through turning, sliding, and flipping. M.C. Escher, the most famous tessellation designer, and other artists have created patterns that tickle our imaginations. Ranging from the very basic to the complex, animal tessellations can be created by following a basic series of steps. The ones below are slightly modified from Tessellations.org. Through practice and creativity, you will be able to design your own works of wonder and enjoyment.
Instructions
1. Tear one of the pieces of paper approximately in half. It's fine if the tear is jagged. Lightly write "A" on one of the halves and "B" on the other half. Lightly write "C" on the other piece of paper.
2. Using your rectangular-shaped object or the ruler and protractor, draw a rectangle on paper "A." Ensure that the left side and right side are the same length. Also check to see that the top and bottom are the same length.
3. Trace the rectangle from paper "A" to paper "B" by placing paper "B" on top of paper "A." Ensure that the rectangles are the exact same size and shape. If you are using office paper, hold them up to a light or against a window to check for accuracy.
4. Trace several copies of your rectangle from paper "A" onto paper "C." Your rectangles should match perfectly-the right side of one to the left side of another and the top of one to the bottom of another. They should resemble bricks placed directly next to one another in two rows.
5. Lightly draw a curvy line along the left side of the rectangle on paper "A." The line should start at the top left corner of the rectangle and end at the bottom left corner.
6. Copy the line onto both the left and right sides of the rectangle on paper "B" by placing paper "B" over paper "A" such that the rectangles line up. Then copy the line onto the right side of the rectangle on paper "A" by placing paper "A" over paper "B" such that the rectangles line up.
7. Lightly draw a different curvy line along the bottom of the rectangle on paper "A." The line should start at the bottom left corner of the rectangle and end at the bottom right corner.
8. Copy the line onto both the top and bottom sides of the rectangle on paper "B" by placing paper "B" over paper "A" such that the rectangles line up. Then copy the line onto the top of the rectangle on paper "A" by placing paper "A" over paper "B" such that the rectangles line up.
9. Use your imagination to discern an animal shape in these curved lines. Color in your design to make it look like an animal. There are numerous examples on Tessellations.org.
10. Copy the shape to paper "C," placing one on each rectangle. Place paper "C" on top of paper "A" such that the rectangles line up, and trace the shape. Continue this for each rectangle on paper "C," making sure each curvy line matches up with its counterpart and there are no spaces in between them.
11. Complete the design by erasing the rectangle straight lines on paper "C" and coloring in each of your animals.
