This past week in math class, we have been studying the art of tessellating.

A tessellation is defined as “an arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping” (Oxford Dictionary).

This project has turned out to be one of my students’ favorite for this year. It allows for creativity which my “anti-math” students feel does not happen often enough in my class. It has been a welcomed change for us all.

Connecting to my Life

As you know, my classroom often challenges me to consider the connection to my life. This has once again happened with the concept of tessellating.

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What I find amazing about tessellations if that you can all start with the same initial shape but end up with such variation. For example, the tessellations above all started with a square. Through different alterations and transformations, my students created very different designs.

This led me to think about how we each start out life in the same way but as circumstances and life experiences become a part of who we are, we all start to take on a different design-a different pattern- a different look. Each life, like my students’ tessellations, is unique. Each is beautiful. Each is loved by the creator.

I would encourage you today to embrace the love that God has for you and your life’s design. He loves the parts that makes each of us different. He loves your quirky sense of humor. He loves your sensitivity. He loves passion for life. He loves you through the good times. He loves you when you are facing difficulties. He loves you when you love who you are. He loves you when you do not love yourself.

Live in the love He has for you.

”
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. “- Psalm 139:14