The Greedy Triangle
by Marilyn Burns
SEE PDF WRITING FRAME, below.
Marilyn Burns is the author of many math-based fiction stories. The stories help give mathematics a real world understanding, which usually has to be pointed out by the parent or teacher. This is the story of how the main character, Triangle, is dissatisfied with his shape. Although he can do many things (such as be a piece of pizza or part of a bridge) he visits a shape-shifter who adds one line at a time. The story points out where basic shapes exist in the real world, and show how just one additional line at a time makes such a difference.
At the end of the story, Triangle wants to be himself again, so this story also gives the message to like who you already are.
The story has many pictures so may be reread several times to notice all the different ways shapes may be found in the world. To extend this story, I read this book aloud to first graders who then wrote about a shape they would like to be, changed shapes, and returned to their original shape. Students referred back to the story for ideas, which helped them retain the information. When driving in the car, parents could ask children to notice different shapes along the way. This is my PDF writing frame you are welcome to use in your classroom: The Sad Shape Writing Frame, PDF, free, 10 student pages
Happy reading and writing, 
