POLYSYMETRICS - TESSELLATIONS FROM WITHIN

Appropriate Grade (Course) Level(s): 6th through 12th
Unit Theme and Instructional Concepts: Tessellations

Lesson Rationale:
Traditional Materials & Techniques:
Students will use standard measuring equipment such as rulers, compasses, protractors, 30/60/90 triangles, colored pencils, markers to create a grid based on either a:

SQUARE



TRIANGLE

HEXAGON

Digital Technology
Students will use the program Tessellmania, Appleworks Drawing & Paint Modules, or Hyperstudio to create a Polysymetric or internal tessellation design. They will do this by dividing a square, an equilateral triangle, or hexagon into either a symmetrical or asymmetrical design using the line and pencil tools. They will use the paint bucket to try out a variety of color combinations based on the color harmonies demonstrated earlier in the quarter.

Lesson Objectives:
Technical (plain)
Students will learn to use the software programs Tessellmania, Appleworks Drawing/Paint modules, or Hyperstudio
Students will be able to use standard paint tools such as the line, the pencil, and the paint bucket
Students will be able to explore a wide variety of color combinations
Students will be able to save various versions of the original design to the hard drive
Formal
Students will be able to understand the differences in a variety of color harmonies
Students will be able to understand the terms: primary, secondary, intermediate, tertiary, cool, warm, complementary, and monochromatic
Contextual

Conceptual/Expressive
Students can choose colors that are pleasing to them
Students can divide up simple shapes and create entirely new shapes that emerge when color is added





Facilities: (setting, room setup)
Computer lab with enough work stations with Tessellmania, Appleworks, or Hyperstudio (two students per computer is fine)
Room technology
Required Material(s): Computer workstations loaded with Tessellmania, Appleworks, or Hyperstudio
Required Resource(s): Digital Camera, Color Printer



Integrated Curriculum: Integrative Aspects:
If students are studying geometric shape, this ties in nicely
If students are studying ratios in math, then the size of certain parts to other parts could be worked out as mathematical ratios

Activities:

Preparation
Students will have at least two class periods in the computer lab as a preliminary exercise before doing the designs on good drawing paper. Motivational Strategies

• Students enjoy using the computer and being able to experiment on the fly with various color schemes will allow them to see quickly how changing small sections of their designs changes the entire design.
• Students will bring their sketchbooks to the art room and measure out a standard grid based on a square 1.5" to 2", or a similar size triangle or hexagon.
  
• Students will divide up the shape into many sections.
  
• Students will add design elements beyond the simple divisions
  
• Students will color their designs carefully and watch as various shapes emerge
  
• Open up Polymetric Folder from within Tesselmania
• Design some tesselations based on the files saved in that folder
• Polymetric tiles are created from within the unaltered shapes Response from students
  Students will be enthusiastic about using this program and creating some interesting designs
  
  Evaluation Criteria/Reflection:
  Students will look over their work and be able to see where they were successful in creating other shapes that emerge from careful choice of color.
  
  Website created by Noreen Strehlow - December 2001