Family Math is Fun
March 2017
The Simsbury Elementary Math Instructional Coaches are
teaming up to share some monthly math fun for families to
do together. Each month we will offer some themed math
questions for four grade bands: Kindergarten; 1-2, 3-4,
and 5-6. We challenge you to do the math as a family.
Then we double challenge you to notice math in your daily
life and make it come alive for your children.
Enjoy our March edition of ​Family Math is Fun!
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
Family Math is Fun: What’s in a Name?
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
Math is everywhere! This month’s challenge shows the math that’s hidden in names.
Kindergarten:​ ​Mirror, Mirror...
Symmetry means that both sides of
something are the same, just like
looking in a mirror.
Some letters that make up names have a line of symmetry. Look at the letters
below. Can you find a line of symmetry? Draw the lines of symmetry that you
find.
A E T O
M X S V
C B Y D
​
Family Math is Fun: What’s in a Name?
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
Math is everywhere! This month’s challenge shows the math that’s hidden in names.
Letter Code
Grades 1-2: The Value of a Name.
A=1
B=2
C=3
D=4
E=5
F=6
G=7
H=8
I=9
J = 10
K = 11
L = 12
M = 13
N = 14
O = 15
P = 16
Q = 17
R = 18
S = 19
T = 20
U = 21
V = 22
W = 23
X = 24
Y = 25
Z = 26
Write your first name. Then use the code below to match
each letter in your name to the number in the code. To
find the total value of your name, add the numbers
together. How much is your name worth?
A ​= 1
N​ = 14
N =​ 14
I​ = 9
E​ = 5
ANNIE = 43
You can find out how much each of your family member’s
name is worth. Who in your family has the name with the
greatest value?
Family Math is Fun: What’s in a Name?
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
Math is everywhere! This month’s challenge shows the math that’s hidden in names.
Grades 3-4: Name Tags
Students place their name tags on
their desks at school. Emilee, Payton,
Olivia, Jackson, Daniel, and Madison
sit next to one another in a row.
What are the different possible
arrangements for the order of their
name tags? Can you find all the
possibilities?
What if Mrs. Williams allows these students to arrange their desks in a
rectangle. What possible arrangements are there of their name tags
now? Can you find all the possibilities?
Family Math is Fun: What’s in a Name?
~Georgia Austin, Dena Cacchiotti, and Lori Martensen
Math is everywhere! This month’s challenge shows the math that’s hidden in names.
Grades 5-6: Coming or going…
A palindrome reads the same forward
and backward. Many names and
nicknames are palindromes like: mom,
dad, Bob, sis, Hannah. What other
palindrome names can you come up
with?
Numbers can also be palindromes. For example, 17871 is a palindrome.
Can you think of a year, a time, or a date which is a palindrome?
You can create a number sentence palindrome. Pick a 2-digit number,
reverse the digits, and find the sum (42 + 24 = 66). Create a list of
number sentences with 2-digit palindromes.
**Challenge: Create a list of number sentences that result in 3-digit
palindromes. Pick a 3-digit number, reverse the number and add it to the
first number. Keep reversing and adding until you get a palindrome (you
may want to use a calculator).