The Greedy Triangle

Author/Illustrator/Source Author: Marilyn Burns Illustrator: Gordon Silveria Summary Bored and dissatisfied with his life, a triangle visits a local shapeshifter to add another angle to his shape. Poof! He becomes a quadrilateral. But then he gets greedy and keeps adding angles until hes completely transformed. AD580L Text Structure: Slightly Complex The story is chronological as well as predictable since each successive shape has one more side. The illustrations help to better understand the text, but they are not always essential. Language Features: Moderately Complex The story features content specific vocabulary as well as some topics that may need further explanation, such as a symphony orchestra or the Pentagon. Meaning/Purpose: Slightly Complex The theme is obvious and the text does not feature multiple levels of meaning. Knowledge Demands: Moderately Complex Some of the things the shape likes to do may not be familiar to readers without some worldly cultural knowledge. The experiences portrayed will be common to most readers, but not all. Focal Themes: Shapes, greed, self-acceptance Potential Challenges this Text Poses: Content specific vocabulary that the reader might not have knowledge of, such as angle, pentagon, and hexagon References to unfamiliar topics that the reader might not have knowledge of, such as the Pentagon, symphony orchestra, baseball diamond, and wrenches Differentiation/Supports for Students: Look for additional real-world examples for each shape in the classroom Create flannel board pieces or clip art for some of the objects presented in the story. Sort the pieces/clip art by corresponding shape.

Quantitative: Lexile Level Qualitative: Text Structure, Language Features, Meaning/Purpose, Knowledge Demands

Reader/Task: Focal Themes, Challenges, Supports

Mouse Shapes
Author/Illustrator/Source Ellen Stoll Walsh Summary Quantitative: Lexile Level Qualitative: Text Structure, Language Features, Meaning/Purpose, Knowledge Demands Three mice make a variety of things out of different shapes as they hide from a scary cat. AD370L Text Structure: Moderately Complex The story is occasionally difficult to predict. The illustrations are needed to help understand the text, especially at the end of the story. Language Features: Slightly Complex The story is very easy to understand with simple sentences. Meaning/Purpose: Slightly Complex The theme is obvious and the text does not feature multiple levels of meaning. Knowledge Demands: Moderately Complex The experiences portrayed will be common to most readers, such as a cat chasing mice, but some of the shape creations may be unfamiliar to some. The reference of a cat and mice is present in other Ellen Stoll Walsh books. Focal Themes: Shapes, shape creations Potential Challenges this Text Poses: Students may not be familiar with the shape creations in the story Students may be unfamiliar with the reference to the cat in the story Differentiation/Supports for Students: Look around the classroom to identify things that are shapes to familiarize students with the concept that shapes are everywhere Read additional Ellen Stoll Walsh stories before reading this one to familiar the student with the characters.

Reader/Task: Focal Themes, Challenges, Supports

Shapes That Roll

Author/Illustrator/Source Author: Karen Nagel Illustrator: Steve Wilson Summary Some shapes roll . . . some don't. Some shapes stack . . . others won't. Some shapes lie down . . .while others stand tall. Circles, squares, and triangles, even ovals and diamonds, are endlessly and intriguingly entertaining in Steve Wilson's world. Karen Nagel's rhythmic text is brought to life by Wilson's troupe of uniquely-shaped characters. Quantitative: Lexile Level AD310L Qualitative: Text Structure: Very Complex Text Structure, More complex characters for this age group are presented. The graphic support and extend the Language Features, meaning of the text. Meaning/Purpose, Language Features: Slightly Complex Knowledge Demands The story is very easy to understand with simple sentences and phrases. Meaning/Purpose: Slightly Complex The theme is obvious and the text does not feature multiple levels of meaning. Knowledge Demands: Slightly Complex A single theme is present with familiar day-to-day experiences. Reader/Task: Focal Themes: Two- and three-dimensional shapes Focal Themes, Challenges, Potential Challenges this Text Poses: Supports Students may not be familiar with all of the shapes in the story Students may be confused with the busy nature of the pictures Differentiation/Supports for Students: Identify shapes that will be presented in the story before reading. As shapes are presented in the story, affirm that students understand what each shape is. Reread the story first for pleasure than reread to identify shapes. Reread again at a later time and discuss shapes on each page.