Shapely Tiling

'Shapely Tiling' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/

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Shapely Tiling

Below is a pattern which can be created using a pair of compasses and a ruler, and a photograph of an Islamic Star.

Islamic Star Image

Photograph of an Islamic Star

Have a good look at this shape below.
What shapes can you see?
Find shapes that are the same.
Can you name the different shapes you find?

Can you produce the following tessellations:

regular octagons with two different types of triangle?
irregular hexagons with triangles and squares?

Why do this problem?

This problem will give learners the opportunity to become acquainted with less familiar two dimensional shapes. This is an accessible activity at which all children could have a go.

Key questions

What shapes can you see?

Can you see another one which is a different size?

If you make these touching shapes the same colour, what shape have you made?

Possible extension

Learners could create their own tessellations using this template.

Possible support

The interactivity will be useful for children who don't like making mistakes and those who find colouring difficult.