K12 Reader
The Art of M.C. Escher
Show your class one way in which art and math are related by teaching them about M.C. Escher. Class members read a brief passage and then respond to five related questions.
Curated OER
Op Art Shapes
Op art is fun to look at, and it's fun to make. Kids learn about the origins of op art and the op art master, M.C. Escher. They view simple to complex examples of op art to see how it works and then create an optical piece of their own....
Curated OER
Escher-Esque Tessellations
Middle and high schoolers participate in a seven-part lesson creating Escher-Esque tessellations. They demonstrate their knowledge of geometric transformations after viewing a PowerPoint presentation, conducting Internet research, and...
Illustrative Mathematics
Regular Tessellations of the Plane
Bringing together the young artists and the young organizers in your class, this activity takes that popular topic of tessellations and gives it algebraic roots. After covering a few basic properties and definitions, learners attack the...
Exploratorium
Exploring Tessellations
Looking for a good lesson on tessellations for your elementary schoolers? This one looks to be quite good! Pupils discover that a tessellation is any pattern of repeating shapes that cover a surface without overlapping or leaving any...
Exploratorium
Exploring Tessellations
Kindergarten through second graders explore tessellations. Pupils learn a little bit about the history of tessellations, then get to construct one of their own by using worksheets embedded in the plan. They use two shapes in their...
Exploratorium
Exploring Tessellations
Tessellations are patterns of repeating shapes that don't overlap and don't have any gaps. Middle schoolers take this simple definition and engage in a lesson that combines visual art and mathematics. They cut out index cards using...
Curated OER
The Wonderful World of Escher
Bridging art and math can be as easy as making tessellations. The art, context, and life of M.C. Escher is explained to the class, as is the concept of tessellations. After a bit of art history, pupils get out the ruler, tape, and...
Curated OER
Tessellations in Excel
Young scholars complete an Excel project on tessellations. In this technology and math lesson, students discuss tessellations and their occurrences in nature. Young scholars use the Excel computer program to create tessellations.
Curated OER
Lines and Patterns
Here are six outstanding art lessons on geometry, line, shape and form, light and shadow, line and pattern, and tessellation for you. Each activity is well-worth implementing with your art students. These lessons would be especially good...
Curated OER
Mathematics in Art?
Fifth graders view prints of M.C. Escher's work. They look at examples of geometric figures and polygons and discuss places they have seen them. Students create their own tessellations. They write a report about the process they used in...
Curated OER
Terrific Tessellations
Students explore tessellations that are found in nature and everyday objects. They observe the works of M.C. Escher. Students create their own tessellations using pencil and paper.
Illustrative Mathematics
Hexagonal Pattern of Beehives
Young geometers and biologists investigate the math of nature in an activity that is just the bee's knees. Participants will study the tessellations of hexagons in a beehive, along with the natural rationale behind the specific shape....
National Gallery of Canada
My Upside-Down World!
M.C. Escher is famous for creating optical illusions. Examine this effect in several of his works and discuss the techniques involved. Inspired by the discussion, learners create an imaginary 3-D world inside of a box using various...
Curated OER
Integrating Art Into Other Content Areas
Here are some ideas to help add an art lesson to every math, science, social studies, or language arts unit.
Curated OER
Midwest Hospitality
Young scholars create snowflakes using the ideas of symmetry, perpendicularity, and regularity in this Art lesson that incorporates Mathematical concepts and artistic design. The lesson includes a materials list, vocabulary list, and...
Curated OER
Batlik- Art of Japan
Eighth graders will examine the use of Japanese ar tforms. The paper lantern is the example drawn from for learners to connect with the culture. The end result is a creative project that should reflect the culture of Japan.
Curated OER
Tessellation Lesson Plans
Students in second through eighth grades can fill their imaginations with repeating shapes!
Curated OER
Tessellmaniacs
Seventh graders create 3 original tessellation using polygons. They slide, turn, rotate and glide their designs on the computer. They print their tessellation on a T-shirt and teach the 6th graders about tessellations.
Curated OER
Visual Arts: Matisse and Escher
Third graders are introduced to the art of Henri Matisse and M.C. Escher. They create original works in the styles of Matisse and Escher and consider how their innovations have affected modern art.
Curated OER
Piece by Piece
Put an insect together piece by piece with a fun and artistic puzzle project. To increase small group collaboration, learners use photos of insects cut into one-inch squares to create an enlarged puzzle version of the image. Extension...
Curated OER
Mosaic Pavement Panel
Students analyze Mosaic art and identify the tessellation process. In this Mosaic art lesson, students read information about Mosaic art and the tessellation process. Students compare mosaics from various civilizations and construct...
Curated OER
Symmetry of Road Signs
Students identify symmetry in road signs. In this geometry lesson, students explore objects in the real world for symmetry. They perform translation, rotation and reflection.
Curated OER
Mandala Art
Young scholars investigate art elements such as color schemes and proportion by creating their own personal Mandala Circle on paper or canvas. This also allows students to investigate mathematical concepts such as tesselations or social...