Build a Birdhouse
Before I build something, I make a plan. Then I gather the materials and tools I need. Here’s a step-by-step look at how I built a birdhouse.
I love to build! When I was little, I built towers with blocks. But the towers always fell down. Then I learned how to use tools. I built a
box for my mom. It stayed together! Now I’m a carpenter. I build things
with wood. I use tools like saws, hammers, drills, and screwdrivers.
sides and floor
front/back
roof
1
2
I draw a plan for the birdhouse. I estimate how much wood I will need. I choose a board that’s the right length.
I measure 3 pieces for the sides and floor, 2 for the front and back, and 2 for the roof. (How many pieces are there in all?)
Can you guess what the most important tool in my toolbox is? It’s a ruler! Carpenters always say, “Measure twice, cut once.” That’s so we cut exactly the right size piece of wood we need for the job. It takes practice and skill to be a good carpenter. It also takes math. Read on to find out how I use math to build a birdhouse.
WORDS TO KNOW
3
4
I cut the pieces from the board. I drill a hole so birds can go in and out. Then I carefully fit the pieces together.
Finally, I find a good spot outside for the birdhouse and put it up. The
estimate: to figure out about how much or how many of something
length: the longest side of something
measure: to find the size of something
carpenter: someone who builds with wood
birds like it!
Programming a Game My favorite part of programming is putting things in sequence. This game is about a dog named Pretzel. Here are some of the actions Pretzel will do.
I like video games. They have funny characters and great music. In fact, I like them so much, I learned how to make them! I’m a programmer. I write code for video games. Code is
the set of instructions that tell a computer what to do. What does it take to be a programmer? Curiosity and strong problem-solving and math skills. Curiosity: I ask questions. For example, how will a player make a character move? I use logic to answer questions.
Pretzel gets dirty.
Pretzel gets a bone.
Pretzel takes a bath.
Pretzel digs a hole and buries the bone.
Does that order make sense? No! So I put the actions in the right sequence.
Problem-solving: I need to identify problems and find creative solutions. Math: It’s important to understand the way data, or information, is arranged and used by a computer.
WORDS TO KNOW data: information in the form of numbers that is used by a computer
1 : Pretzel gets a bone.
2: Pretzel digs a hole and buries the bone.
3: Pretzel gets dirty.
4: Pretzel takes a bath.
logic: good, clear thinking
sequence: the order in which things happen.
Now the sequence makes sense! Good dog, Pretzel!
Sewing with Math It takes practice to make clothes that fit. It also takes math. Here’s how I use math to turn an idea into a pattern, then into a shirt.
I love to make clothes. As a kid, I made clothes for my stuffed animals. I used scraps of fabric held together with string or ribbon. Then I learned how to sew. I made clothes for myself! Now I’m a tailor. I sew clothes for other people. It takes skill to sew well. It also takes math! That’s because making clothes is a lot like solving puzzles. How? Every piece of clothing is made of different shapes. I turn the shapes into patterns, then into clothes that someone can wear. I use tools like a needle and thread, scissors, and a sewing machine. But the most important tool I use is measuring tape! I measure carefully to make sure the clothes will fit.
collar
sleeve
front
back
2
1
Measure: I measure carefully to find out how long and wide to make the shirt. Then I measure the fabric so I have just enough.
Make a Pattern: This t-shirt is made of 4 pattern pieces. Front, back, collar, and sleeve (I’ll cut 2). I draw them on big paper. Then I cut them out.
WORDS TO KNOW
3
4
Pin, Cut, and Sew: I pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut it out. Then
Try It On! When I finish sewing, I try on the shirt. It fits perfectly!
fabric: cloth or material
pattern: a model or plan for making something
sequence: the order in which things happen
sew: to stitch together
I sew! It’s important to sew the pieces together in the correct sequence.
ELLEN OCHOA MATH HERO
MATH CONNECTION As an astronaut, Ellen spent 978 hours in space. That’s almost 41 days! (There are 24 hours in one day. 978 ÷ 24 = 40.75.) On her first trip to space, aboard the space shuttle Discovery , Ellen used her science and math skills to collect and analyze data about the Sun’s effect on Earth’s environment. On later trips to space, she operated a robotic arm to deliver supplies to the ISS and to help other astronauts walk in space. Ellen’s career proves that Math Heroes work hard to achieve their dreams.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa is a trailblazer. She
was the first Latina astronaut to go to space and she is a member of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame! As a kid, she loved playing the flute and reading books. Math Heroes like Ellen are persistent!
FAST FACTS WHAT WHEN WHERE WOW!
Scientist and Astronaut Born in 1958 From La Mesa, California Spent 978 hours in space!
Ellen Ochoa plays the flute in the space shuttle Discovery .
3–2–1 BLAST OFF! When Ellen was growing up, her favorite subject was math. She also loved music. Would she be a math teacher? A musician? She decided to become a scientist.
Get Inspired!
The International Space Station (ISS) has welcomed more than 270 astronauts, including Ellen!
After retiring as an astronaut, Ellen became the first Latina director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She received NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and had six schools named for her! Ellen encourages women to study and consider careers in STEM fields. She says, “We need the best and brightest from all backgrounds to work together to come up with solutions and new ideas.”
When Sally Ride became the first American woman to go to space in 1983, Ellen was inspired. She wanted to be an astronaut too. It wasn’t easy, but she persisted. In 1993, she became the first Latina astronaut to blast off into space.
WORDS TO KNOW
analyze: to study something closely
data: a collection of numbers and facts
persistent: to continue with purpose and not give up, even when it’s difficult
Ellen at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Eugenia Cheng MATH HERO
MATH CONNECTION It might surprise you to learn that Eugenia thinks mathematicians are rebels. Rebels are people who don’t always follow the rules. In fact, Eugenia believes that math is about asking the right questions, not getting the right answers. Her goal is to help people think for themselves.
What does Eugenia Cheng do? She teaches math. She writes books and articles. She makes videos to help everyone “get” math. She also makes art, plays the piano, and bakes with math! In other words, this Math Hero does everything . . . and more!
FAST FACTS WHAT WHEN WHERE WOW!
Mathematician, musician Born in 1976 From Hampshire, England Uses food to teach math!
She wants them to get over their fear of math and make connections between math and real life.
Eugenia used math to figure out the best ratio of pizza toppings to dough. Yum!
MUSIC AND MATH Where did Eugenia’s interest in math come from? Her mother! When Eugenia and her sister were young, their mother, a mathematician, kept them busy with math puzzles. Eugenia fell in love with math. But she also
Get Inspired!
Eugenia wants people to see that math is everywhere and in almost everything. One of the classes she teaches is called The Mathematical Secrets of Music. Her book How To Bake Pi: An Edible Exploration of the Mathematics of Mathematics , combines two of her favorite topics: math and baking. Eugenia believes that math, like baking, is about putting ingredients together to see what you can make out of them.
Eugenia holds one of her desserts that was inspired by math.
loved music and reading. During school holidays, she spent her free time reading in the library. It was the first place she was allowed to walk to on her own.
ingredients: the parts of a mixture or recipe WORDS TO KNOW
mathematician: an expert in mathematics
rebel: someone who goes against the rules
Eugenia uses baking to help people connect with and understand math.
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