Title of Book:
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Sir Cumference and the Sword and the Cone
Cindy Neuschwander
Charlesbridge Publishing Co./ 2003
1-57091-601-2
Grade Levels for Recommended Use: Sixth Grade – Eighth grade
(7.6) Geometry and spatial reasoning. The student compares and classifies shapes and
solids using geometric vocabulary and properties. The student is expected to:
(C) use properties to classify solids, including pyramids, cones, prisms, and
cylinders;
Brief Summary: King Arthur has hidden his sword, Edgecalibur. The knight who finds
it will be the next king. Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius try to
point Sir Vertex in the right direction. Does his sharp thinking give him the edge?
Materials needed:
Geometric Shapes include: cube, rectangular prism, triangular prism, and pyramid
Suggested Activity:
Engage: Read the book orally up to page 11. Write the riddle and read it again, giving
the students time to think about it. Their challenge for the day is fill in the following
chart “The Magic Number” giving them 3-d shapes: cube, pyramid, rectangular prism,
triangular prism. Let them work in groups but do not give them clues.
After they have attempted the chart and “discovered” Euler’s Law, show them the answer
sheet and explain Euler’s Two Test. It only works for a polyhedron (plural polyhedra
or polyhedrons) which is a geometric solid in three dimensions with flat faces and
straight edges.
Adapted by Erica Garcia, 2012
The Magic Number
Shape
6
14
5
8
14
5
9
=
=
=
=
The Magic Number
Shape
Faces
Vertices
Edges
F+V
F+VE
Cube
6
8
12
14
=2
Pyramid
5
6
5
5
8
6
8
12
9
10
14
11
=2
=2
=2
Rectangular
Prism
Triangular
Prism