To determine which shapes tessellate, we need to check if each shape can be repeated to cover a flat surface without gaps or overlaps.
Let’s go through each shape one by one:
1.
Cross shape (top left) – This is like a plus sign made of squares. You can slide copies of it next to each other and they will fit perfectly.
✔ Tessellates.
2.
Arrow shape (top middle) – The arrow has a pointed end and a notched tail. If you flip and slide arrows, they can fit together neatly.
✔ Tessellates.
3.
Rhombus (top right) – A diamond shape. All parallelograms (including rhombuses) tessellate because their opposite sides are equal and parallel.
✔ Tessellates.
4.
Triangle (middle left) – Any triangle can tessellate. You can rotate and slide them to fill space.
✔ Tessellates.
5.
“E” shape (middle center) – This shape has indentations that don’t match up with its own copies. There will always be gaps or overlaps.
✘ Does NOT tessellate.
6.
Curved rectangle (middle right) – It has curved sides. Curves usually don’t fit together without gaps unless they’re designed to interlock (like puzzle pieces). This one doesn’t.
✘ Does NOT tessellate.
7.
Four-pointed star (bottom left) – Stars like this usually leave gaps when you try to repeat them. They don’t fit edge-to-edge cleanly.
✘ Does NOT tessellate.
8.
Parallelogram (bottom middle) – Like the rhombus, all parallelograms tessellate. You can slide them in rows.
✔ Tessellates.
9.
Lightning bolt (bottom right) – This jagged shape might look like it could fit, but if you try to place another one next to it, the angles and edges won’t match up without gaps.
✘ Does NOT tessellate.
So, the shapes that tessellate are:
- Cross
- Arrow
- Rhombus
- Triangle
- Parallelogram
Final Answer:
The shapes that tessellate are: cross, arrow, rhombus, triangle, and parallelogram.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of printable tessellation templates.
