1. Grandfather Tang’s Story
Ann Tompert
A Tale Told with Tangrams

2. What Are Tangrams?
Tangrams are ancient Chinese puzzles that are still used today by adults as well as children.
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.
When tangrams are used in storytelling, the storyteller arranges the tans to show the shape of a character in the tale. As new characters or story elements are introduced, the puzzle pieces are rearranged to represent the new character or new element.
Tompert, A (1990). Grandfather Tang's Story. New York, NY: Crown Publishers.

3. Traditional Tangram Puzzle
What shapes do you see?

4. Curriculum Correlation
Primary Subject: Math
Secondary Subjects: Language Arts & Art
Math:
Grade 3 – Shape & Space (3D objects & 2D shapes)
GLO:
Describe the characteristics of 3D objects and 2D shapes, and analyze the relationships among them.
SLO:
Sort regular and irregular polygons, including:
Triangles
Quadrilaterals
Pentagons
Hexagons
Octagons
according to the number of sides.

5. Grandfather Tang’s Story
The fox fairies…

6. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A Rabbit…

7. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A Dog…

8. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A squirrel…

9. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A hawk…

10. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A turtle…

11. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A crocodile…

12. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A goldfish…

13. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A goose…

14. Grandfather Tang’s Story
A lion…

15. Grandfather Tang’s Story
Grandfather Tang & Little Soo

16. Other Tangrams You Can Make
If you were a fairy fox which would you be?

17. Other Tangrams You Can Make

18. Other Tangrams You Can Make