Grandfather Tang’s Story
Ann Tompert
A Tale Told with Tangrams
What Are Tangrams?
Tangrams are ancient Chinese puzzles that are still used today by
adults as well as children.
A tangram begins with a square, which is then cut into seven
standard pieces. Each piece is called a tan. In creating a picture, all
seven tans must be used; they must touch, but none may overlap.
When tangrams are used in storytelling, the storyteller arranges the
tans to show the shape of a character in the tale. As new characters
or story elements are introduced, the puzzle pieces are rearranged to
represent the new character or new element.
Tompert, A (1990). Grandfather Tang's Story. New York, NY: Crown Publishers.
Traditional Tangram Puzzle
• What shapes do you see?
Curriculum Correlation
Primary Subject:
Secondary Subjects:
Math
Language Arts & Art
Math:
Grade 3 – Shape & Space (3D objects & 2D shapes)
GLO:
Describe the characteristics of 3D objects and 2D shapes, and analyze the
relationships among them.
SLO:
Sort regular and irregular polygons, including:
• Triangles
• Quadrilaterals
• Pentagons
• Hexagons
• Octagons
according to the number of sides.
Grandfather Tang’s Story
The fox fairies…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A Rabbit…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A Dog…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A squirrel…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A hawk…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A turtle…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A crocodile…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A goldfish…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A goose…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
A lion…
Grandfather Tang’s Story
Grandfather Tang & Little Soo
Other Tangrams You Can Make
If you were a fairy fox which would you be?
Other Tangrams You Can Make
Other Tangrams You Can Make