Family Math is Fun
April 2017
Every Day is Earth Day! This year we celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. To raise
environmental awareness, the math coaches present you with some family math challenges across
four grade bands: Kindergarten; 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6.
We continue to challenge you to do the math as a family, encourage you to notice math in your
daily life, and make math come alive for your children.
Enjoy our April edition of Family Math is Fun!
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
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Family Math is Fun: Earth Day Math
~ Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
In honor of Earth Day, we offer your family the following math challenges to engage in
mathematical investigations of earth-friendly practices, promote discussion about our
environment, and explore kid-friendly ways to preserve our planet. April is the perfect month
to think about making small changes.
Kindergarten: How old is a tree?
Have you ever wondered how old a tree is? Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as simply
asking the tree. Here’s what you can do to find the age of MOST trees:
1. Find a tree that is at least 5 feet tall (taller than a kindergartner).
2. Wrap a measuring tape around the widest part of the trunk. The distance
around the trunk is called the circumference.
3. The measurement of the circumference (in inches) is the tree’s approximate age
in years.
Is there a tree in your yard that is younger than you?
Can you find a tree in your yard that is the same age as your grown-up?
Find the age of 3 trees. Which tree is the oldest? Which tree is the youngest?
Grades 1 & 2: Waste Watching
We can help our planet if we reduce the amount of waste we generate.
First, interview your family about different ways they reduce, reuse, or
recycle at home. Add them to the chart. Then, for every time someone in your
family reduces waste, color in one box on the graph.
Recycle
Paper or
Plastic
Turn the
Lights Off
Conserve
Water
What is the most common way to reduce waste? Which way to reduce waste does
your family use least?
Display your graph somewhere in your house to remind your family that “Every Day
is Earth Day!”
Grades 3 & 4: Garbage Mountain
On average, a person throws away 1,033 pounds of garbage every year. This
includes household waste such as unused food, broken toys, and paper trash.
How much waste is that in 5 years? 15 years?
About how much waste has the oldest person in your family thrown away in his or her
lifetime?
Below are some ways to reduce waste at home:
1. Learn and take advantage of the recycling opportunities in your community.
2. Use reusable glass containers.
3. Learn about composting. Can you start composting at home?
4. Learn to repair items rather than discarding them.
5. Reduce the use of plastic bags. What can be use instead?
6. Cancel unnecessary mail.
7. Limit the use of disposable napkins, plates, and utensils.
Can you think of some additional ways to reduce waste at home?
Grades 5 & 6: Save Energy
Changing to newer, more energy-efficient light bulbs is not
only good for the Earth, but it can also create savings for a family’s electric bill.
A light bulb is a simple, often overlooked factor in most homes' total energy
consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that if every household in
the United States replaced just one standard incandescent light bulb with an energyefficient one, the nation would annually save about $600 million in energy costs --enough to power 3 million homes for a year.
If there are 125 million households in the United States, what is the average savings
per household per year?
What is the average savings per household per month?
If the average family replaced 5 lightbulbs, how much money would the family save
per year?
Make a list of additional ways your family could conserve energy and save money.