Written by Elizabeth Hoover.

Mathematics is much more than numbers, formulas, and theories. It is a vital, fascinating part of our daily lives. Whether we’re hitting a grand slam, making chocolate chip cookies, or reading a science-fiction novel, math helps us understand and enjoy the world in which we live.

The Tall-Tale Math Series is a comprehensive resource that empowers students by helping them understand and utilize the fundamentals of mathematics. Highly creative story problems spark curiosity and help students appreciate math as a powerful tool for solving real-life questions.

In Part 3 of the series, Geometry Basics, students will explore the fundamental principles of geometry, including perimeter, area, and volume. In addition, they will learn to identify various kinds of shapes, angles, and space figures.

Geometry Basics is divided into three useful sections: 

Review Sheets contain easy-to-understand definitions and examples that clearly explain particular concepts, such as “Types of Angles.” In addition to providing valuable practice exercises, the sheets can also serve as handy reference guides.

Skill-Builder Sheets present intriguing story problems that use humor, creativity, and mystery to engage students. Each sheet covers a specific concept, which is clearly labeled at the top of the page.

Extra-Practice Sheets are designed to add an additional challenge for students who have mastered the previous sheets. In addition to the basic concepts, students must use additional skills, such as measurement conversion, chart analysis, and selection of the most appropriate number form. These sheets give teachers the extra flexibility to tailor lessons based on grade level and ability.

Special Note: Several problems, such as those involving imperfect square roots and π, will be easier to solve with the help of a calculator. Pages with a strong requirement for a calculator are labeled “Calculator!” at the top of the page.

Learning Objectives


Aimed at students in grades 5 through 8, the sheets will help students meet the following specific objectives:

      • identifying and working with points, lines, and planes

      • identifying kinds of quadrilaterals and triangles

      • identifying the properties of a circle

      • understanding and working with π

      • recognizing similar and congruent figures

      • using formulas to determine the perimeter of various shapes

      • using formulas to determine the area of various shapes

      • using formulas to determine the volume of various shapes

      • understanding and working with ratio and proportion

      • understanding and working with square roots

      • using the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems

      • connecting math to the world outside the classroom

      • using investigation and reasoning to solve problems



Grades 4–7. 


The lessons and activities in this book align with the following Common Core State Standards*: 

CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A,B 

CCSS.Math.Content.6.G.A. 

CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.A,B 

CCSS.Math.Content.8.G.A,B 



Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems. 

Understand that attributes belonging to a category of 2-dimensional figures also belong to subcategories of that category. 

Apply the formulas V = l w h and V = b h to find volumes of right rectangular prisms with fractional edge lengths in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems. 

Draw construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them. 

Draw geometric shapes with given conditions. 

Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume. 

Know the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and use them to solve problems; give an informal derivation of the relationship between the circumference and area of a circle. 

Use facts about supplementary, complementary, vertical, and adjacent angles in a multi-step problem to write and solve simple equations for an unknown angle in a figure. 

Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms. 

Understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software. 

Understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem. 

Know the formulas for the volumes of cones, cylinders, and spheres and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems. 



*Authors: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers 

Title: Common Core State Standards English Language Arts 

Publisher: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Washington, D.C. 

Copyright Date: 2010