Analysis Of The Greedy Triangle By Marilyn Burns

The math concept of Geometry or shapes will be taught to a second-grade classroom during and after the reading of The Greedy Triangle (1994) by Marilyn Burns. We will discuss the different shapes, their attributes, how they are used and how many sides and angles each shape has. The Greedy Triangle (Burns, 1994), is a story about a triangle that is dissatisfied with being a triangle and thinks being another shape would be more fun. The triangle goes to the shape shifter and asks to have another side and angle added. This starts the triangle, on a journey of changing shapes from a triangle to eventually a dodecagon. Each page, talks about how many sides and angles the triangle has acquired and what that shape can become. At the end of the book the triangle decides he is happy being a triangle and enjoys all of the things he can do as a triangle.
The SOL, for the State of Connecticut, that matches this concept is: Reason with shapes and their attributes.
2G.1: Recognize and draw shapes having specified attributes such as a given number of angles or given number of equal faces (Note: Sizes are compared directly or visually, not compared by measuring.) Identify triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons and cubes.

I will have different shaped blocks that are mentioned in the book and have the students hold one during the reading and when I get to that page they will hold up the corresponding block. We will also write down that shape on a large paper along with the number of sides and angles each shape has. This will be left up in the classroom as a reference point for the students. After the reading, we will a short discussion on the different shapes mentioned in the book and I will have the students think about these shapes and where they have seen them used in everyday