INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING TESSELLATE.LGO


1.  If you are reading this using Windows Notepad, make sure you have activated Word Wrap (from the Edit menu).


2.  The file TESSELLATE.LGO contains a number of logo procedures for use with MSW LOGO.  If you haven't got MSW LOGO then you are missing out on a very good package which is completely free.  
    It can be downloaded at
		www.softronix.com


3.  Start MSW LOGO.  From the File menu select Load.  Go to the location where you have saved TESSELLATE.LGO, select the file and click on Open.


4.  The procedures in the file produce various tessellations.  All you have to do is type one of the following commands in the Commander window.:
	TESS1 (produces a tessellation of rectangles)
	TESS2 (produces a tessellation of equilateral triangles)
	TESS3 (produces a tessellation of hexagons)
	TESS4 (produces a tessellation of octagons and squares)
	TESS5 (produces a tessellation of pentagons and rhombuses)
	TESS6 (produces a tessellation of stars and hexagons)
    Each command produces a different sort of tessellation.
    The tessellations are best viewed with the MSWLogo Screen maximised.
    Once you have typed in the appropriate command you can minimise the Commander window so that it does not obscure the tessellation.


5.  If you would like a continuous showing of the various tessellations then simply type SLIDESHOW in the Commander window.  Again it is best to maximise the MSWLogo Screen and minimise the Commander window.
	

6.  If you want a continuous showing of just one of the tessellations then type in commands such as
	REPEAT 20[TESS1]
	or
	REPEAT 20[TESS4 TESS5]


7.  You can pause any of the continuous showings by clicking on the PAUSE button in the Commander window.
    Resume the showing by clicking on CANCEL in the Pause Mode box.


8.  The main purpose of these procedures is to enable the teacher to use LOGO as a teaching resource i.e. they are designed to teach pupils about tessellation, not to teach them about the LOGO language.


9.  Use the procedures to demonstrate tessellations to the whole class (this is possible, even with only a 14 or 15 inch monitor).  Discuss the geometrical properties of the shapes used in each tessellation.  Then let the pupils make tessellations of their own using practical apparatus (e.g. Pattern Blocks) and spotty paper (square-spotty paper and triangular-spotty paper are excellent for drawing tessellations).  While the pupils are working at their tables let the SLIDESHOW run continuously.


10.  Also use the procedures to demonstrate what is possible with LOGO.  Some pupils might be capable of writing their own procedures to produce a simple tessellation.


I hope you find these procedures valuable in your maths teaching.
Let me know how you get on.

Richard English
www.numeracysoftware.com
feedback@numeracysoftware.com