Jessica Taylor

EDUC 4234
J/I Mathematics
Childrens Literature for Math
Grandfather Tangs Story: A Tale Told With Tangrams
ISBN: 0-517-88558-1
Author: Ann Tompert
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Grade level: 5 (Could also use in grades 6, 7 and 8)
Strands from the Curriculum: Geometry and Spatial Sense, Patterning and Algebra,
Measurement, Data Management and Probability.
Specific Expectations: (Focussing specifically on grade 5)
5m49 distinguish among polygons, regular polygons, and other two-dimensional shapes
5m36 estimate and measure the perimeter and area of regular and irregular polygons,
using a variety of tools (e.g., grid paper, geoboard, dynamic geometry software) and
strategies.
5m51 identify and classify acute, right, obtuse, and straight angles
5m1 - develop, select, and apply problem-solving strategies as they pose and solve
problems and conduct investigations, to help deepen their mathematical understanding
5m79 read, interpret, and draw conclusions from primary data (e.g., survey results,
measurements, observations) and from secondary data (e.g., precipitation or temperature
data in the newspaper, data from the Internet about heights of buildings and other
structures), presented in charts, tables, and graphs (including broken-line graphs)
The Activities
A. Predictions:
Tell the students the title of the book Grandfather Tangs Story. Ask the students to predict
what the book is about, show them the illustration on the cover.
-Students will probably predict a grandfather telling his granddaughter a story.
Ask the students if they can predict what the grandfathers story is about.
-The illustration does not give much away about the story. By showing the students the
back cover they might be able to make better predictions. (Do not read the students the
summary on the back as it gives away the story)
Tell the students the second part of the title A Tale Told with Tangrams. Ask the students if they
know what tangrams are. (This is where the teacher will introduce the tangram activity).
Throughout the book there are many opportunities to have the students make predictions.
Whenever the foxes change into another animal, the teacher should pause and ask the students to
predict what animal the foxes will become next.
B. Interactive Opportunity:
The whole book is an interactive opportunity for students. Each student will have their own set of
tangram pieces and will follow along with the story to create the new characters.
C. Math Words:
tangram, shapes, puzzles, seven, pieces
1

D. And E. Possible Activities and Completion of Activities:

1. Discuss the mathematical names of each tan (square, triangle, parallelogram)
before the reading so the students know the correct mathematical terms for the
different shapes they are using. (5m49)
2. 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. Tangrams are used in story telling, the storyteller
arranges the tans to show the shape of the character in the tale.
-While the teacher is reading Grandfather Tangs Story the students will
use their seven tangram pieces to create the different animal shapes. This is
where the teacher will have the students make predictions as to what the
next charter will be. Students will have the opportunity to try and make the
animal before shown the picture in the book. (5m1)
3. After finishing reading the book have the students practice problem solving.
Teacher presents the question How many different ways can you make a triangle
using the tan pieces. Students are to follow the steps of problem solving to
answer the question. This activity was used as an introduction to problem solving.
- (Idea from Ron Beals grade 5/6 class) (5m1 and 5m79)
F. Additional Activities:
1. Have the students put the tangram pieces together to create geometric shapes
(parallelogram, trapezoid, square, rectangle, hexagon). (5m49)
2. Have the students create a shape using all seven tangram pieces. Have the students
trace around the shape and then measure the perimeter. (5m36)
3. Teacher can use the different tangram pieces to introduce angles. Have the
students measure the different angles and label them obtuse, acute, right angle.
(5m51)
4.

Cross-curricular activities. Have the students use the different tan pieces to create
artwork (could have students look up more shapes online as there are many more
students could create). Or could have the students use the tangram pieces and
write their own story.

Reference: Activities from

http://www.sci.tamucc.edu/~eyoung/Literature%20webpages/Leonor/grandfather_tang.html