Today’s workshop focused on using algorithms to recognize and create visual patterns and tessellations. The class opened with an icebreaker where each student had to think of an adjective that describe them and started with the first letter of their name. Once the icebreaker was completed, the instructor, Alyssa Canty, started a rhythmic pattern by repeating a sequence of claps, snaps, and leg taps. The students stood up and joined in once they recognized the pattern. The first student to stand up and be able to join in the rhythmic pattern was allowed to make up his or her own.
Once the majority of the students were able to create their own rhythmic pattern, Alyssa made a simple pattern on the board with different color paper shapes and asked students what would come next. She did various patterns and sometimes left blanks and allowed students to come to the board and complete the pattern. Using the paper shapes, students were asked to define the words pattern, sequence, and repetition. A discussion followed about the patterns we see everyday.
Once students had a chance to name patterns they see in everyday life, Alyssa showed a PowerPoint of patterns in nature. Students were then shown how to access Interactivate’s Pattern Generator and did a few Level 1 examples as a group. The students were then given time to play with the different levels on Pattern Generator as an individual. The students were encouraged to figure out the next shape in the pattern by doing mental algorithms. Alyssa concluded the pattern portion of the day by doing a couple of the Level 3 patterns as a group.
The second topic of the day was tessellations with the key words being symmetry, polygon, and tessellation. The students were given a portion of an index card and piece of white paper. They cut the index card and added the part that they cut off to the mirror side. The students traced the shape over and over and created their own tessellations. After doing one by hand, the students thought about everyday tessellations such as corn on the cob or bricks. They were shown how color choice could affect a tessellation through a brief PowerPoint of different tessellations. A discussion on symmetry followed and students found several lines of symmetry in pictures of tessellations. Students were then shown how to access and use the different features of Interactivate's Tessellate. They were then given free time to play and create a tessellation to print and take home.