Customer Reviews

Shape Up!: Fun with Triangles and Other Polygons

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finding books that address math concepts in the upper grades is more challenging. This book is superb because it not only gives critical details on the different types of triangles and quadrilaterals that are polygons, but explains how you can measure the angles within those shapes. Constructing and using a folded piece of paper as a right angle, students are directed through pictures on how to place their right angle on the shapes. Then through comparison knowing if the angles were larger (obtuse) or acute (smaller). Food entices students and the colorful cartoon-like format stimulates students' interest.

ISBN 0823413462 - I have to admit that I don't really want to give this book 4 stars. It bored me, badly, and I like to avenge my boredom. However... it deserves 4 stars. This isn't an exciting adventure tale or a humorous story, it's actually educational - and in a way that will be easier for reluctant geometry students to enjoy. Not to mention learn from!

Start with two slices of American cheese, a toothpick, pretzel sticks, plain paper, graph paper, a pencil, a plastic knife and a slice of bread. Sounds fun already, doesn't it? Surprisingly, it is. The pages contain directions for creating various shapes using the items above. The shapes, beginning with triangles and going all the way to dodecagons (12 sided polygons), are defined and explained in simple terms.

I hate geometry, which is part of why the book bored me. On the other hand, author David A. Adler has created a good tool for teaching math to kids who hate geometry as much as I do! Despite the fact that it looks like a little childrens' book, from the size and shape of it to the bright, cartoon-y cover, the book is aimed at 9-12 year olds. They get to play with their food and learn at the same time - and anything that makes math easier for us anti-geometry people has to be a good thing, right? Illustrations by Nancy Tobin compliment the text, showing the shapes Adler describes. Worthwhile for teachers and homeschooling parents, in particular.

- AnnaLovesBooks

This is a great book for the intermediate grades to teach, reinforce or review polygons. You won't be sorry with this fun purchase.

I love to use food with my lessons because kids are always hooked in with it. This book guides the students into manipulating food such as cheese and bread to create polygons. It also uses pretzels to create angles. I will definitely be using this book with my 3rd graders.