Connecting the Art of Navajo Weavings to Secondary Education

Abstract

The Navajo Nation is well-known for its exceptional artistry with respect to the weaving of rugs, blankets, and other textiles. This article will discuss the culture of the Navajo, their weavings, and how this art form can be used to teach and extend mathematics concepts in secondary education. The patterns within the Navajo weavings will be used to illustrate examples of the four isometries and the seven frieze groups. These patterns will also be used to determine the fundamental region, as well as to study the fractal concept of iteration and its impact on area and perimeter.