Tessellations on Black Bayou Lake
Title: Tessellations on Black Bayou Lake
Subject: Mathematics
Grade Level: 5 - 6
Overview:
This lesson is designed for fifth and sixth grade students. The students will investigate and identify tessellations, both natural and man-made, in the environment. After a field trip to Black Bayou Lake refuge, the students will create their own tessellations using the Paint program.
Approximate Duration: 3 sixty-minute lessons
Content Standards:
Geometry
In problem-solving investigations, students demonstrate an understanding of geometric concepts and applications involving one-, two-, and three-dimensional geometry, and justify their findings.
Benchmarks:
G-2-M
identifying, describing, comparing, constructing, and classifying geometric figures and concepts; (1,2,3)
G-3-M
making predictions regarding transformations of geometric figures (e.g., make predictions regarding translations, reflections, and rotations of common figures); (1,4)
G-5-M
making and testing conjectures about geometric shapes and their properties; (1,2,3,4)
G-7-M
demonstrating the connection of geometry to the other strands and to real-life situations (e.g., applications of the Pythagorean Theorem). (1,3,4,5)
Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs):
Grade 5
24. Use mathematical terms to classify and describe the properties of 2-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, and polygons (G-2-M)
25. Identify and use appropriate terminology for transformations (e.g., translation as slide, reflection as flip, and rotation as turn)(G-3-M)
26. Identify shapes that have rotational symmetry (G-3-M)
Grade 6
27. Make and test predictions regarding tessellations with geometric shapes (G-3-M)
Educational Technology Standards:
Use multimedia tools and desktop publishing to develop and present computer-generated projects for directed and independent learning activities.
Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools, web tools) to gather information for problem solving, communication, collaborative writing and publishing to create products for various audiences.
Objectives:
TLW investigate tessellations.
TlW identify tessellations in the environment.
TLW transform figures to construct tessellations.
Lesson Materials and Resources:
Pencils
Journal
Pattern blocks
Technology Tools and Materials:
Hardware:
Computer
Internet
Software:
Microsoft Paint
Websites:
LPB CyberChannel
http://www.lpb.org/education/cyberchannel.cfm
Math Forum Tessellation Tutorial by Suzanne Alejandre
http://mathforum.org/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html
Welcome to the Tessellation Project
http://www.people.iup.edu/fgbm/Tessolation.Webquest/tesselation.main.htm
Tantalizing Tessellations !!
http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/RR/database/RR.09.96/archamb1.htmlBackground Information:
The students have successfully completed a unit of study on geometric shapes and transformations (slides or translations, turns or rotations, and flips or reflections). They know how to use technology tools, such as drawing tools and web tools. In addition to using the 5th and 6th grade math textbooks, the Tantalizing Tessellations!! website is an excellent resource for teaching transformations and tessellations.
Lesson Procedures:
Day One
1. Introduce the term tessellation by watching " Investigating Tessellation", which is a segment of the United Streaming video: "Mathematical Eye: Shapes and Angles".
2. Further investigate tessellations. Include the definition, pictures, mathematical concepts related to tessellations, and M. C. Escher's work. Go to Math Forum Tessellation Tutorial by Suzanne Alejandre
http://mathforum.org/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html.
3. Using Inspiration Software, brainstorm for tessellations in the environment, both in the classroom (ceiling, floor tiles, etc.) and in nature (honeycombs, fish scales, etc.). Next, visit the website, Welcome to the Tessellation Project . The URL is http://www.people.iup.edu/fgbm/Tessolation.Webquest/tesselation.main.htm .
4. Walk-About. Take journals. pencils and digital cameras and walk about the school grounds, listing natural tessellations. Take digital pictures of tessellations. Return to classroom and discuss findings.
Day Two
1. Visit Black Bayou Lake refuge to identify tessellations in nature. Students will take photographs of tessellations using the digital camera.
Day Three
1. Distribute pattern blocks and have pairs or groups of students create tessellations by using transformations. The students will complete the Let's Tessellate worksheet.
2. Students will work in groups as they create tessellations using the Paint program on the computer.
3. Print the tessellations created by the students and display in the room.
Assessment Procedures:
Teacher Monitoring
Completion of the Let's Tessellate Worksheet
Accommodations/Modifications:
Accommodations will be made based on individual students' IEP's or IAP's.
----- written by Lynda Cookston
Reproducible Materials:
Let's Tessellate Worksheet
Explorations and Extensions:
1. To expand and/or reinforce the concept of tessellations, have students go to Tessellation Town located on the Math Cats website http://www.mathcats.com/explore/tessellationtown.html. The students can create their own tessellation.
2. Have students view the United Streaming video, "Patterns, Symmetry, and Beauty."
Lesson Development Resources:
LPB CyberChannel
http://www.lpb.org/education/cyberchannel.cfm
Math Forum Tessellation Tutorial by Suzanne Alejandre
http://mathforum.org/sum95/suzanne/tess.intro.html
Welcome to the Tessellation Project
http://www.people.iup.edu/fgbm/Tessolation.Webquest/tesselation.main.htm
Math Cats-Welcome to Tessellation Town
http://www.mathcats.com/explore/tessellationtown.html
Directions for Creating Tessellations Using Paint
Tesselations Directions
Contact Information:
Lynda Cookston
lynda.cookston@mcschools.net
Lexington Elementary SchoolBlack Bayou Lake Home | Curriculum Materials | Resources | Black Bayou Lake NWR | Monroe City Schools
