Round is a Tortilla

Posted By:   Mark Johns

Author & Illustrator:  Roseanne Thong, author 

                                    John Parra, illustrator

Recommended Grade Level: Ages 4-7

CCSSM Standards addressed:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.B.4

Analyze and compare two- and three-dimensional shapes, in different sizes and orientations, using informal language to describe their similarities, differences, parts (e.g., number of sides and vertices/"corners") and other attributes (e.g., having sides of equal length).

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.G.B.5

Model shapes in the world by building shapes from components (e.g., sticks and clay balls) and drawing shapes.

.

Summary:  Latino inspired children’s book with enjoyable, dynamic pictures by which children explore shapes they encounter in their everyday world.  Children encounter shapes in the form of various common items such as tortillas (round), watermelon or quesadilla slices (triangle), ice cream carts (rectangle), etc.  The text is rhyming and joyful with a helpful glossary of terms.

I rate this book 5 stars for my students as it shows appreciation for and language from the culture of a large segment of my students as well as offering a starting point for many developmentally appropriate and fun lessons, including field trips and art projects.

Classroom Ideas:

--Take students on field trips in groups of 4 and keep tallies of the shapes we encounter using simple tally marks in groups of 5.

--Identify shapes that compose the human face and body.  Construct a human face and body out of common objects such as kitchen utensils or musical instruments, noting their geometric shape.

--Creating shapes out of common objects such as pencils, toothpicks, string, etc., and discuss the properties of the shapes.

--Drawing and coloring scenes comprised predominantly of shapes.