Math is Real Life - November 2014 Edition

 I am happy to once again join up with the fabulous linky hosted by Miss Math Dork, 4mulafun, The Teacher Studio, and Teaching to Inspire in 5th! 

Did you survive Halloween?

I think all teachers breathed a collective sigh of relief when they realized that it was on a Friday this year!

My Halloween was a little hectic. Why? Two days before Halloween I still didn't have a costume for my son. I couldn't find anything in the stores, at least nothing that was worth spending any money on, so I thought I could just make him a costume. I consider myself to be a pretty crafty person, so why not give it a shot? My son said he wanted to be a trucker...so why not make him into a truck? 

First I needed some sort of plan, since I had no idea how to construct a truck out of thin air...Pinterest here I come.

Below is a picture of the different stages of construction.

First, I needed to find a box. Luckily with kiddos in the house, I just happened to have a few diaper boxes kicking around. After a quick measurement of my son, I determined which box would be the best fit. Keeping in mind that a requirement of trick or treating in Winnipeg, is that the costume must fit over a snow suit!

Second, I needed to make a few measurements, trace my wheels, cut away the excess cardboard, and reinforce the whole thing with tape.

Third, we needed a few coats of paint. Primer, then about 5 coats of blue paint! Luckily I had some little hands to help with the painting!

Fourth, we added the finishing touches - traced out the doors and windows, added bumpers, licence plates, and working headlights. 

Fifth, I made a last minute call to my husband with the width of the front end and the diameter of the wheels so he could quickly cut out a grill, rims and a few decals. This is what made the costume! Thanks goodness my husband is a welding instructor.

Lastly, I created some shoulder straps out of blue duct tape, and VOILA, we have a truck!

I was pretty happy with how it turned out and my son was too! It was definitely a learning process and there was some problem solving involved, but in the end it came together pretty easily.

What math was involved in this frantic mom's DIY costume? Definitely measurement, as well as time constraints. I was watching that clock! I kid you not, this costume was finished the second we walked out the door to join the neighbourhood kids for a night of trick or treating!

Luckily I will have this costume ready to go for my younger son, but my oldest already informed me he wants to be a truck again next year...I guess I better find a bigger box!

'til next month!