The modelling set is the top left mate. You have Animation, Polygons, Surfaces etc etc . It is there in Maya 8. Alternatively hit the F3 key..this will take you to Polygons as well. All the function keys can do this.
Are you modelling the haunted house?? or doing something on your own? I would (if creating a sail shape) either do it in Nurbs then convert to poly or just use the vertices in Poly and scale etc etc that way.
From 1 noob to another...have fun. Post back anytime...its a good site for help and info mate.
Cheers bullet
bullet1968
"A Darkness at Sethanon", a book I aspire to model some of the charcters and scenes