Pi Day is just around the corner! If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Pi Day in the classroom, we have lots of fun and educational options for students at all grade levels. Wondering what Pi Day is? The answer is both simple and irrational… it’s a celebration of the number pi!
Pi, annotated in math as π, is the relationship between the circumference of a circle and its diameter. To date, it’s likely the most famous irrational and transcendental number—meaning that this number continues indefinitely past its decimal point with no pattern in sight. The first three digits, 3.14, correspond with March 14, often abbreviated as 3/14, hence the designation of this day as Pi Day.
Foods
Have a bit of fun on Pi Day and honor this Greek letter with its tasty homonym “pie.” Ask your students to bring a pie to school, or use a learning tool like the Super Sorting Pie. To make these treats educational, have the students measure the diameter of each pie to calculate its circumference and total area. Make a few differently-sized pies so you have a range of numbers with which to play. And don’t forget, pies don’t have to be only sweet treats. There are also shepherd’s pies, pot pies, and pizza pies!
Lessons
Whether you involve pies or not, use your interactive whiteboard for lessons exploring pi with your students. These lessons should explain how to measure a circle’s diameter, then how to calculate the circumference of the circle using pi and the diameter. The interactive component helps to keep kids engaged, which can be especially useful for struggling students.
Games
For students ready for geography, consider introducing pi through a game like the Circumference of Circles Learning Center Game. This is a ready-to-use resource for the classroom and afterschool programs. It can also be used for home practice, review, and test prep for grades 6-9.
Did you know Pi Day is also the International Day of Mathematics? Find more articles and inspiration for math lessons and activities on our Math category page!
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