Category Archives: Real World Math

Flower Values

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What you’ll need: The chart provided below, printed out, or paper and pencil, a calculator, a website, book, or another source of spring flower names

What to do: Choose 5-10 of your favorite spring flowers (common or scientific names) and figure out the number value for each word.

If you need a little help with Spring flower names, Names of Flowers can help you out, but feel free to look for names on your own via other websites, books, and any other resources you want to use. If you did the Wildflower Project, many of those flower names can be used.

Begin by writing down your flower choices. If you use lined paper, rather than the chart provided below, you will need 3 line: One for letters, one for their number value, and one to leave blank so letters and numbers do not get mixed up together.

Next, either print out the chart provided, or make your own letter to number values.

Often times, A=1, B=2, C=3 is used, but you can use A=26, B=25, C=24, or you can use any values you want.

Write the name of the flower you want to figure out the value of, then write a number value under each letter. Write the total value on the value line.

When you are done, compare the name values.

Which one has the highest and lowest value?

Does the longest word have the highest value?

Does the shortest word have the lowest value?

Do any have the same value?

Example:

Copy and save the Flower Values graphic below and print it out if you want.

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Spring Word Scramble 2022

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Unscramble the spring related words below:

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Measurements of Spring

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If April showers bring forth May flowers, how much precipitation does the spring season receive, and how much does the temperature change?

You can find out by doing the following simple experiments:

Capture rain and snow during the season, or for a month, and keep track of the day and night temperatures for a month. If you would like to record the whole season, find a weather site that keeps track of the weather conditions in your area, and grab the info you need to fill in the gaps. Otherwise, you can start any time you like, and go on from there.

Take pictures, draw your findings, or write them down. Use a calendar for the month too.

Measure Precipitation

To capture rain/snow, you can use a wide mouth container and a ruler.

Make a Rain Gauge

Measure Snow

What’s in the rain? As a bonus activity, find out what’s in your rain/snow by taking a closer look with a magnifying glass and a microscope. Instructions can be found in the offered link.

Temperature

Keep track of the day and night time temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius. You can use the following formula, if you would like an extra challenge, or use the following site to get the conversion.

Fahrenheit to Celsius formula: Celsius (°C) = (Fahrenheit – 32) / 1.8

Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion

If you would like to keep track of the temperature in your area, get an inexpensive thermometer or have a little fun making your own with the instructions in the following link:

Make a thermometer

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Word Hunt Puzzle #2 Spring Edition 2022

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Wildflower Research Project

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As the weather warms up, and nature starts to awaken from its slumber, the beauty of the season begins to burst free. Much of that beauty is reoccurring in the form of wildflowers that can be found on the roadside or in private and public gardens. If you enjoy the colors and smells of Spring, you may find these activity suggestions inspiring enough to grow something on your own.

#1 As wildflowers bloom on the roadside, in your yard, in public gardens, or in your neighborhood, take pictures, and then spend some time learning how to identifying them.

Need help identifying wildflowers?

https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Wildflowers

http://mywildflowers.com/identify.asp

#2 Collect different types of wildflowers when possible, make a flower press, or learn how to preserve them. Think of some ways you can use the flowers: Cards, pictures, scrapbook pages, writing/drawing journal, wildflower identification cards, nature journal, poems, display them in a vase, etc.

#3 Grow your own wildflowers in an selected area, as a garden, or in a planter. By growing your own, you can keep track of what you have planted. Collect seeds at the end of their growing cycle and save them for the next growing season. Label them clearly so you know what you are growing.

#4 Take some time to sit and enjoy wildflowers. Observe the insects and other creatures that come to visit. Take pictures/videos, draw or write about them. What do they do? How long do they stay?

#5 As you learn about the wildflowers you identify, find out how they can be used. Which ones are edible and/or medicinal? Learn about the rules of collecting them in order to ingest them.

For example: You will not want to collect wildflowers on a roadside that has been sprayed with chemicals, or has a lot of car traffic, because they are not edible or usable medicinally. Also, some wildflowers need to be collected carefully and boiled to be enjoyed.

Most public gardens will ask you not to pick or cut flowers.

Tip: Grow your own wildflowers in areas away from the roadside if you would like to ingest them.

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From Bud To Bloom

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For this activity, please choose a tree in your yard or somewhere very close by.

Next, choose one or more methods to document your observations: Drawing, writing/journaling, picture or video recording, or an audio recording device.

Observation Suggestions

What kind of tree is it?

Find out its name and the type of tree it is.

Guess how old your tree is.

How often will you observe your tree?

Everyday? Once a week? Once every two weeks? Once a month?

What does your tree look like without its leaves?

Observe how the branches formed.

How thick is the trunk? Measure it if you can.

Take a rubbing of the bark on your tree with a crayon and paper.

Guesstimate how thick the thickest branch is.

How tall is your tree?

https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-the-Height-of-a-Tree

If your tree has leaves, or needles, observe how its structure looks and consider how it formed, to the best of your ability. Observe new growth when possible.

Watch as your tree bursts to life with flowers, seeds, and/or leaves. Notice if the flowers have a smell, what the pollen looks like, how the seeds or fruit form and disperse. Notice how the leaves form and grow. Take a fully matured leaf and make a stamp print of it, draw it, or take a picture of it. Back and front.

Observe parts of your tree through a microscope.

Use a small microscope or a magnifying glass to get a closer look at your tree.

Where is your tree located?

Is it close to your house?
It is in the shade or full sun?

It is in a neighbor’s yard?

In a park?

What Can You Look For?

Does your tree have buds on it?

Are bugs crawling on it?

Does it have a nest?

What birds visit your tree?

Do other animals live in it or hang out in it? If so, who comes to visit?

How does the weather effect your tree?

What does your tree look like with ice/snow?

What happens when it rains?

What happens when it is windy?

What does it look like on a clear, sunny day?

The more you observe your tree, the more you will learn. As your tree changes with the spring season, notice how it blooms and grows.

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Seasonal Recipe Challenge: Oatmeal Packet

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This is meant to be an open-ended activity. No recipe is given, but suggestions and tips are offered. It is strongly recommended that you record what you do in some way:

Video, writing, drawing, etc..

Tweak your recipe as needed, and when you come up with something you like, write it down in a homemade recipe book or on an index cards.

You will need: A packet or two of instant oatmeal

Tips

· Quick oats may also be used for this activity, but a little more liquid may be needed for a recipe to work.

· The average oatmeal packet requires between 1/2 to 2/3c of water to make oatmeal. Try using about the same amount of liquid (eggs, milk, water, cream, etc.) when making your recipe.

· Think about how you will cook your creation before you begin: Bake, frying, a fun new flavored oatmeal

· Consider making a dough or batter.

· Use small pans for oven baked goods.

Ingredients to try:

Honey Maple Sugar Brown Sugar Cinnamon Nutmeg

Flour Raisins Eggs Banana Baking Powder Baking Soda

Chocolate Chips Salt Vanilla Sugar Butter Nuts Fruit

Milk Peanut Butter (any type) Pumpkin Yogurt Coconut

Dried Apples/fruit Beef/Meat Vegetables Cheese Chocolate 

Nutritional Yeast Jelly/Jam Something of your own choice

What to make:

Small Muffins Mini Pancakes Cookie Bread Granola Raisin

Oatmeal Cookie Burger Crepe Dog Biscuit Pizza A Fun New Oatmeal flavor

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Make A Snowflake

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Frosty Fractals

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Snowflake Fun Page

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How many words can you make from the words:

CATCH A SNOWFLAKE

Note: Add some fun twists and turns to your game with the info in this post.

Snowflake Word Search

Snowflake Related Activities

Snowflake Experiment

Online Activities

Online Puzzle: Snowflake – How long will it take you to do this online puzzle?

Coloring Pages: Snowflake – Choose from a variety of pages to print.

Videos

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Snowflake Activities & Resources

Snowflake Science

Snowflake Math

Snowflake Language, Social Studies, History and Geography Skills

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Build A Snowman

Snowman

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Hot Cocoa Fun Page

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How many words can you make from the words:

CHOCOLATE WARS

Note: Add some fun twists and turns to your game with the info in this post.

Hot Cocoa Crypto

Finish The Phrase

Hot Cocoa Related Activities

Online Activities

Online Puzzle: Hot Cocoa – How long will it take you to do this online puzzle?

Coloring Pages: Hot Cocoa – Choose from a variety of pages to print.

Hot Cocoa Recipe Idea

Do you have a favorite hot cocoa recipe that you like to make? If not, this link has one you can try and tweak to make it a little more special.

If you would rather not make your own cocoa, use a commercial brand you enjoy.

If you decide to invite a few friends over for cocoa and a movie or game, consider making a cocoa bar filled with some of the suggestions below.

Fun treats to add:

Marshmallows – Peanut Butter – Flavored Creamer – Chocolate Chips ( or any flavor baking chip)

A Mint or Candy Cane – Carmel Candy – Toffee Candy – Almond Joy or Mounds

Whipped Cream – Cinnamon – Cayenne Pepper – Powered Ginger Milk – Honey

Instant Coffee – Vanilla Extract – Hazel Nut Spread – Almond Extract – Maple Syrup

And anything else you can think of.

Ask your guests to bring a favorite treat to share.

If you invite friends, ask if they have a special diet that they follow so you can have an alternative beverage, treat, sweetener, milk, etc. or ask them what they would like you to provide for them.

If someone doesn’t eat candy or sweets, cinnamon and whipped heavy cream without sweetener may be nice to offer. Don’t forget the unsweetened cocoa powder or cocoa mass.

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Bubble Gum Fun Page

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Bubble Gum Word Search

Bubble Gum Related Activities

Compare Bubble Gum Brands

Purchase a variety of bubble gum brands, including one you have not tried before, if possible. Compare them all based on the following list, and in the end, decide which one you like the best over all. Ask a friend to join in this activity so you can talk about your experiences.

Keep track of your thoughts on paper or via an audio or video device.

Use a timer or stopwatch if you want to.

Compare them by:

Flavor – How long does the flavor last?

Chewiness – Is the gum too soft, get hard to chew, fall apart?

Flexibility – How well does it form a bubble?

Stickiness – Does the gum stick to your teeth or does it offer a pleasant chewing experience?

Longevity – How long does the gum last before it falls apart/becomes hard to chew, and flavorless?

Videos

Online Activities

Online Puzzle: Mixed Flavors Bubble Gum – How long will it take you to do this online puzzle?

Coloring Pages: Bubble Gum Ball Machine – Printable coloring page.

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Chewing Gum

Bubble Gum

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