Do you have an inquisitive little one who loves numbers, shapes, and problem-solving? What if you could engage your little ones in a playful way while also learning about some super cool mathematical topics? Get ready to be astonished as I tell you a little bit about our Math is Everywhere Family Unit Study, where we explore math in real life!
Did you know that according to probability and the Birthday Paradox, in a room of 23 people, there is a 50% chance that two of those people share a birthday?
Or that bees create a tessellation of hexagons from wax that are then filled with honey?
This is only the beginning! Let’s explore Math with playful, inquiry-based, hands-on fun!
What is a Family Unit Study?
But first… what exactly is a Family Unit Study?
This unit study, like all of our ever-growing library of unit studies, takes one big theme—Math—and breaks it down into ten manageable, bite-sized learning topics filled with engaging activities for kids. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family. Perhaps you do one topic per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You can learn about math and explore a topic from start to finish in about 1-2 hours each.
Dive in and watch the sparks of wonder ignite. Watch the child-led learning take off. Watch what happens when children are engaged in what they are learning!
Each of the 10 topics includes:
- an interesting fact,
- a discussion question,
- informative information,
- a curated YouTube video,
- a recommended book,
- a math or literacy enrichment question (with three difficulty levels),
- and an ultimate-can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!
Plus, all subjects are covered across the 10 topics! Geography, History, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Health, Literacy, and Math.
When everything connects across subjects, learning just makes more sense. Kids remember more, understand better, and actually enjoy the process. It’s the kind of learning that really sticks. 🙌
Before we dive into the fascinating world of math, I wanted to share a little something to make your homeschool days just a bit easier (because we all need that, right?).
Our Mini Homeschool Toolbox is a simple, go-to resource filled with helpful printables – like math charts, number lines, and writing supports – to keep your days organized and your lessons running smoothly.
It’s completely free and so handy to have on hand as you move through your homeschool routine. Simply enter your email address below, and a copy will be instantly delivered to your inbox.
Explore Math in Real Life
Here are the 10 topics and a peek at the hands-on activities that you will enjoy together.
Topic #1: Math is Everywhere!
Learn about all the ways we use math in our everyday lives: numbers, shapes, patterns, time, measurement, and money! Go on a “Math Scavenger Hunt” in your own home and discover just how much math is under your own roof!
Topic #2: Numbers in American Sign Language (ASL)
Did you know that more than 100 different types of sign language exist throughout the world? ASL (American Sign Language) is a language that uses hand and facial movements to communicate. For the hands-on activity, you will learn how to sign the numbers 1-10 (or 1-20 if you are up for the challenge!) in ASL.
Topic #3: Origami
Discover the traditional Japanese art of origami and explore how a simple square of paper can be transformed into amazing three-dimensional creations. Along the way, you’ll uncover math concepts like lines, shapes, and symmetry. Then, fold your own origami animal in a fun hands-on activity.
Topic #4: Symmetry
Symmetry is more common than you think! What characteristics make an object symmetrical? Explore the wonderful world of symmetry and discover how this math concept appears all around us. Apply your understanding to the “Make it Symmetrical” pattern block game to test out your skills.
Topic #5: Equal Parts and Fractions
What are fractions, and how do they help you share a pizza equally amongst friends? Find out all about fractions, then apply your knowledge in the kitchen with our “Equal Parts Pizza Party” task, where you make mini pizzas and divide them in different ways in order to share them equally.
Topic #6: The Fibonacci Sequence
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… are the first numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence. Impress your friends with your knowledge of this great mathematician, then showcase your own Fibonacci spiral with squares representing the widths of the numbers in the Fibonacci sequence. 
Topic #7: Transformations
Transformation is a fancy mathematical term for movement and describes how shapes move into different positions. Have you ever wondered what a mirror image of your bedroom would look like? Explore the “Transforming Your Bedroom” activity and use transformations to transform your bedroom!
Topic #8: Tessellations
Tessellations can be found in our homes, on stone pathways, in artwork, and throughout nature. Discover the properties that allow some shapes to tessellate and use this knowledge to create a piece of beautiful tessellation artwork.
Topic #9: Patterns
Patterns are all around us, from nature and music to daily routines and math. Discover how repeating objects, shapes, and numbers help us recognize order and make sense of the world. Then, create colorful Skittles patterns and watch them come to life in a fascinating hands-on experiment!
Topic #10: Musical Math
Did you know that music and math are interrelated? Music relies heavily on patterns, number sense, and fractions. Discover all about basic rhythms, then play a game of Clap That Rhythm! If you’re up for the challenge, you can even create your own four-beat rhythm patterns to add to the game.
And there you have it: an exciting exploration into the amazing world of math, where numbers, patterns, shapes, and problem-solving come to life through real-world experiences.
From spotting math around your home and folding origami to creating tessellations, exploring the Fibonacci sequence, and even discovering the math behind music, the Math is Everywhere Family Unit Study helps you see that math is woven into the world all around us.
I hope you’ll pop over to the shop and see if this unit study is the perfect fit for you and yours!
Get the Complete Math is Everywhere Family Unit Study
https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-math-is-everywhere
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Thank you so much for reading!
xo
Sarah
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