How did pattern-master M.C. Escher create his artwork? How did Islamic artists create infinite, complex patterns that seem to continue on forever? It's not as impossible as it looks! Tessellations, the interlocking, repeated patterns, are behind the magic.

Tessellations elicit wonder in their complexity. In this camp, we'll demystify (somewhat!) how they work by reviewing some ways in which we can create tessellating pattern pieces that create amazing repeating interlocking patterns. There are many variations to explore! We will start the first class by discussing what tessellations are and looking at examples. After that, students will dive into creation (By the way, the tessellation in the class photo is a glide reflection, created by an 11yo!). 

Please note: students won't always finish full decorated tessellation pages in class, depending on how complex they choose to make their decoration. Since we will only cover one type of tessellation per day, at the very least they should finish tracing their pattern on an entire page, but they may not finish coloring/completing the decoration that day. Day 4 can be a work day to finish those tessellations, should students wish to focus on that, but on day 4 I will *also* discuss some other ways that students can create tessellations.

(Please note: this is more art than math! Although I'll be mentioning some geometry terms as we go, and tessellations can't work without geometry, this is an art-making camp more than anything else.)

WHAT WILL LEARNERS DO IN THIS CLASS?
Please see the syllabus!
The general outline for the 4 days is (I may shift this around a bit based on group speed and dynamic): an introductory discussion moving into learning tessellation type 1; learning tessellation type 2; learning tessellation type 3; and a final day where they finish up their pieces and work on variations. 

We will have a longer intro during the first session before we get to work and so will do the least finished artwork on day 1. On days 2-3, we will start with a much quicker overview before we start our projects - reviewing one or two examples of art created using the types of tessellations we will make that day, and then getting right to work! 

WHAT IS MY TEACHING STYLE?
I strive for interactive classes - when I show PowerPoints I don't lecture, but ask students what they notice. For demonstration, I'll use a document camera on my hands, as well as PowerPoint examples, to show clearly, step-by-step, what I am doing (initially - until students take off running on their own). I check for comprehension repeatedly along the way. I love seeing student work during and after class - I'll ask students to share (but never insist), and spotlight them so all their classmates can see!

MATERIALS REQUIRED: students must come to class with square and/or hexagonal pieces of cardstock (or similar) - most days, only squares (so, you'll have to pre-cut those. We'll go through one to two each day). They'll create their tessellation pattern pieces with those pieces, which they'll then trace them onto a sheet of paper to create a full pattern. Please see below in the "learner supply list" section for a materials list, so your student comes to class ready to go (for those registered, I will post exactly what to bring, when, to the classroom)! 

TWO OUTSCHOOL RULES OF NOTE:
-Although siblings are welcome to share computers, all learners attending the class need to be enrolled.

-I must verify your learner *visually* when class starts. Please ensure your webcam is functioning so that I can verify your student's participation. (I greatly prefer and request that students keep their cameras on after verification. I can't accurately gauge student involvement or comprehension if all I'm seeing is a black box with a name in it!)