Students in Montessori Pre-K have been learning about tessellations using the GEMS Build-It-Kit. Tessellations are a pattern of figures that fill a space with no overlaps or gaps. Examples of this would be a checkerboard or a pattern of floor tiles. The children used different shapes (square, triangle, trapezoid and rhombus) to make their own tessellations. They also colored their own tiling designs, which were displayed in the classroom. Here is a rhyme they learned from the book:
Building tessellations bit by bit
Repeating patterns, perfect fit
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Like checkerboards or bathroom tiles
Make patterns stretch for miles and miles
Remember: there can be no gap
All shapes must fit, not overlap