Download Symmetry and Pattern: The Art of Oriental Carpets

Grade A 100 points
Good review and an interesting site!
Symmetry and Pattern: The Art of Oriental Carpets
URL
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/geometry/rugs/
Site Type
Information Collections
Database collection
Information exchanges
Problem Solving Projects
Information searches
Parallel problem solving
Simulations
Description
This web site is designed for use in math classes with a
secondary use in art classes. It covers a very specific topic
unlike mega-sites that offer hundreds of different activities in
many fields. The site discusses oriental carpets from a
mathematical perspective covering topics such as symmetry,
patterns, grids, and tessellations. While analyzing the four
basic symmetries (translation, rotation, reflection, and glide
reflection) the site provides pictures to make the subject
matter easier to understand to the novice. The site is
designed for any student in upper elementary school or
above, but gifted second and third graders could probably
use it as well. It contains a rug picture gallery for viewing
patterns of many different types of carpets. In addition, it
provides some of the history of how the carpets were made.
The “Educational Resources” section is wonderful for either
teachers or students looking for activities. With some plugsin one can create rugs patterns and work with tessellations
directly on the computer. Several higher level thinking
activities, applications, and extensions are offered along with
a gallery of student work and the opportunity to have the
student’s work posted on-line. Finally, links to related web
sites offer a wide variety of activities and exploration at all
different ability levels.
Content Grade
A-
Appropriateness and Use with Gifted and Talented Learners
The web site is excellent to use with gifted math students by
being able to apply their skills to real world applications. The
site is also appropriate for gifted art students who want to
study the mathematical aspects of art (carpets in this case).
While a teacher could pull the same information from the site
to present to a regular math class, gifted students can easily
navigate and quickly discover the material by visiting the site
directly. While the concepts at one level are relatively
simple, the opportunity to expand on the theme of symmetry
and patterns is the real draw of the site. Students can find a
bibliography of books offering advanced knowledge of the
topics, links to web sites of all levels, and opportunities to
“create” right on the computer. With the numerous activities
teachers can allow the students to pick and choose a couple
that truly interest them and apply their skills. The teacher
can then easily ensure that the gifted student has covered
the required material.
Gifted Usefulness A
Lance Mangham