Surf for More Math

Lesson 1 - Tiling an Area

To encourage students to have fun on the Web while learning about Tiling an Area, here are some games and interactive activities they can do on their own or in pairs.

Goal

Tile an area using software.

Builds Upon

Student Book pages 384-385

Instructions for Use

The Tile Machine lets students use software to tile an area.

To use The Tile Machine, click on a colour in the colour palette, and then click in the workspace to begin tiling. Click on the grid button to hide or show the grid. Click on the backward arrow to undo the last move. Click on the button with two arrows to rotate the canvas. Click on a garbage can button to delete the tiling design.

Click on the square button to add a square to the workspace. Click on the circle button to add a circle to the workspace. Click on the pencil button to draw freehand on the canvas. Click on the bucket button to fill the background with colour. Click on the ruler button to add straight lines and the eraser button to erase tiles from the workspace. Move the slider to increase or decrease the size of the tiles.

When the design is complete, click the 'Done' button, and submit the design.

Isometric Grid lets students tile an area to create patterns.

To use Isometric Grid, click on the grid button to hide or show a gridlines or a pinboard. Determine the grid size, by clicking on the 'Grid Size' button. Click the rhombus button to select a rhombus, or click on the triangle button to select a triangle. Select the colour from the slide up menus. Click on the lock button to lock or unlock the colour function. Click on the shape, and then click on the grid to place the shape. Click on the elastic band button (the triangle with dots at each vertex), to select the number of points in the elastic band. Students can manipulate the points to create new shapes.

Have students create patterns on the isometric grid and describe the patterns.