SUBJECTS:  English Language Arts, Art, History, Computer Skills

LEARNER OUTCOMES:

• The student will gain experience in searching the Internet for specific information, limiting the search field, and using links.
• The student will learn what a tessellation is by reading definitions and viewing examples.
• The student will appreciate the value of artistic tessellations.
• The student will communicate his/her thoughts, feelings, and/or interpretations effectively in well written paragraphs.
• The student will understand the historical background of tessellations.

TIME FRAME:  three 50-minute class periods

MATERIALS:   Internet access, 3 1/2" floppy disk

TECHNOLOGY TOOLS:  Word processing software, Internet

TEACHER NOTES:

• When students search the internet for tessellation examples, the teacher may choose not to give students the suggested URL's, based on the students' familiarity and experience with search engines.
• Students should be encouraged to limit their search and use links.
• Students should already know how to use a word processing program.
• Students should have some familiarity with Internet searches.

PROCEDURES:

1. Define tessellation.

Use the following sites:
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/whattess.html
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/tocs/terms.units.middle.html

2.    Read about the history of tessellations.

Use the following sites and  search for additional ones.  Write a well written  paragraph in which you summarize your findings.
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/historytess.html
http://library.advanced.org/16661/history.html

LOOK FOR

• How/why did they originate?
• Where did they originate?

Use the following sites and follow suggested links.
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/links.html
http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~aly/escher

• Save these on a 3 1/2" floppy disk.  You will need these on a disk for future lessons.
• Open a document using a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word).
• Insert the tessellations into the word document.
• After each example, write a paragraph discussing why you like the tessellation.
• What is it about your example that interests you?
• Record the source of your example.
• Proofread, spell check, and grammar check your paragraphs.
• Double space the paragraph.
• Use transitional devices.
• Do not use second person pronouns or slang.
• Use variety in sentence structure and diction.

The teacher should modify the lesson as necessary to meet the students' IEP.

Students will go to the site World of Escher.

The students will view 5 lithographs by Escher:

• Hand With Reflecting Sphere
• Encounter
• Mobius Strip II
• Reptiles
• Three Worlds.

The students will select one lithograph and write a short story or poem (of at least 12 lines) based on their interpretation of the lithograph.  This must be well written and show creativity.  The students will share their creative writing with classmates either orally, printed, or by rotating computer stations reading each other's work.

The teacher will use one of two rubrics to evaluate the lesson.  The detailed rubric is designed for English teachers who prefer a careful or detailed grading of the paragraphs.  The second rubric is for teachers of other disciplines who focus more on content than on construction of the paragraphs.

               STUDENT:

IGO'S:

English Language Arts: 10.43, 10.46, 10.47, 10.49, 10.50, 10.52, 10.77, 10.78,10.84, 11.60, 11.61, 11.62, 12.53, 12.54,  12.55
Computer/technology: 10.83, 10.84, 10.86, 11.94, 11.96, 11.97, 12.90, 12.92, 12.93
History: 10.36, 10.45
Instructional Practice: IP.7, IP.10, IP.21

National Standards

REFERENCES:

The following URL'S:
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/whattess.html                                                      http://forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math/tocs/terms.units.middle.html
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/historytess.html
http://library.advanced.org/16661/history.html
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/suzanne/links.html
http://www.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~aly/escher
 

COMMENTS:

CREATED BY:

Rusty Campbell
David Underwood
                          Carol White

North Marion High School
Rt. 1, Box 100
Farmington, WV  26571

DATE MODIFIED: