Title of Book: The Greedy Triangle
Author: Marilyn Burns
Publisher: Scholastics Press Inc
ISBN: 13: 978-0-545-04220-8
10:0-545-04220-8
Grade Levels for Recommended Use: 1
TEKS
(6) Geometry and measurement. The student applies mathematical process standards to
analyze attributes of two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional solids to develop
generalizations about their properties. The student is expected to:
(C) create two-dimensional figures, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares,
as special rectangles, rhombuses, and hexagons;
(D) identify two-dimensional shapes, including circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares,
as special rectangles, rhombuses, and hexagons and describe their attributes using formal
geometric language;
Brief Summary:
This is a very colorfully illustrated book about a triangle that wants more out of life. He gets
bored with who he is as a triangle and goes to ask a Shapeshifter to turn him into another
polygon by adding another side to his shape. He transforms from a triangle to quadrilateral
(square), to a pentagon, to a hexagon, but still becomes bored after experiencing the various
shapes, stated but not shown also changed to heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, and on
and on. His shape is so transformed that he can barely keep his balance and rolls away. He
then decides that being a triangle was the best shape he could ever be and was most happy
with. The Shapeshifter grants him his last request and he and his friends are very happy
again.
Materials needed: Book The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns, writing prompt
worksheet “If I could be any shape, I would be…”, worksheet with 6 shapes to make own
greedy shape figure, scissors, glue or tape, crayons or markers (optional)
Suggested Activity:
1. Read book to class
2. Ask questions concerning the shapes being discussed i.e. sides, what other real life
item it looks like, and name of shape.
3. Hand out writing activity sheet providing instructions to review the shapes on page
and choose one shape they would want to be.
4. Ask the student to write about the shape and why they chose it.
5. After completing the writing ask the students to find the shape they chose and cut out
the shape along with the eyes, nose, arms, legs, hands, and feet, for the shape to
create their own Greedy shape
6. After completing both the paper and the shape can be displayed in classroom or
outside of classroom.
References and or websites:
Youtube video for polygon shape review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69lfTURDles
Different shaped and colored cartoon eyes
www.depositphotos.com
Adapted by (Kory Garcia-Ramirez, 2013)