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EXPLORE OTHER '2D SHAPES' STORIES HERE
EXPLORE OTHER 'FRACTION' STORIES HERE

SIR CUMFERENCE AND THE FIRST ROUND TABLE​
Author: Cindy Neuschwander
​Illustrator: Wayne Geehan

Picture
Number of pages: 31
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (USA)
First published in: 1997
Format: Picturebook

Is the mathematical focus explicit in the story? Yes
Is this story part of a mathematics story series? Yes (Sir Cumference and Charlesbridge's Math Adventure)
 
Preview and/or purchase this book on the Amazon websites: UK, USA, AUS, CAN
Synopsis by the author/publisher
King Arthur was a good ruler, but in this math adventure he needs a good ruler. Geometry is explained with humor in SIR CUMFERENCE AND THE FIRST ROUND TABLE, making it fun and accessible for beginners. What would you do if the neighboring kingdom were threatening war? Naturally, you'd call your strongest and bravest knights together to come up with a solution. But when your conference table causes more problems than the threat of your enemy, you need expert help. Enter Sir Cumference, his wife Lady Di of Ameter, and their son Radius. With the help of the carpenter, Geo of Metry, this sharp-minded team designs the perfect table conducive to discussing the perfect peace plan. Thanks to Sir Cumference, even the most hesitant will be romancing math.
“Lady Di thought a moment and then said, "What if we cut the square table diagonally? We could put the two halves together to make a diamond."”
Official review by MathsThroughStories.org:
Cindy Neuschwander’s (1997) ‘Sir Cumference and the First Round Table’ is the first title in the Sir Cumference series. The story follows Sir Cumference in his attempt to design a better-shaped table for King Arthur and his knights to sit around to discuss important matters. The original long rectangular table is thought to have caused Sir Cumference to have to shout across the table and hurts his throat from doing so. With the help of Geo, a local carpenter, the new designs of the table include a square table, a parallelogram table, an octagonal table and an oval table. Nothing however beats a nice round circular table. The story ends with a tongue-in-cheek and supposedly historical account of how diameter, radius and circumference all got their names. The tables of different shapes found in the story provide opportunities for teachers and parents to talk about properties of these shapes with their children. All in all, ‘Sir Cumference and the First Round Table’ is a great story picture book to introduce the concept of 2D shapes and their properties to children aged 9+ years old. (Disclaimer: We received a complimentary inspection copy of this book from the publisher/author) ​

​Recommended age range: 
9+ years old 

Relevant topics: 
​
2D Shapes; Fraction

​
Possible teaching activities:
At MathsThroughStories.org, we believe that stories can be meaningfully incorporated in mathematics teaching in different ways. Thus, we are inviting you to share your experience of how you have used this story in your mathematics lesson with other members of the community. By sharing your experience with us, you will be added to our team of On-line Contributors here, where you can also find our submission guideline.
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ABOUT US

MathsThroughStories.org is a non-profit and research-based initiative, based at the University of Reading's Institute of Education (UK).

It sets out to help mathematics learners around the world develop their conceptual understanding in mathematics and to help them foster positive attitudes towards the subject through  the power of storytelling.

Contact Us

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • RESEARCH TEAM
    • On-line Contributors
    • Research Dissemination
    • Research Impact
    • SHOUTOUTS
    • Teacher Training / CPD Services
    • MEDIA APPEARANCES
  • RESOURCES
    • RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BLOG
    • NEWSLETTER
    • BOOK REVIEWS >
      • BOOK REVIEWS
      • INSPECTION COPIES
    • LESSON IDEAS
    • VIDEOS
    • CREATE YOUR OWN MATHEMATICAL STORIES >
      • GUIDELINE FOR MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
      • INTERVIEWS WITH MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS
    • 'HOW TO' BOOKS
    • RESEARCH ARTICLES
    • PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED ARTICLES
  • COMPETITIONS
    • 2022 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2021 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2020 YMSA WINNING, SHORTLISTED AND LONGLISTED ENTRIES
    • 2019 YMSA WINNING AND SHORTLISTED ENTRIES
  • NEWS
  • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED