March 14th is the perfect day to explore the Greek number, Pi. Why? Because the number Pi is approximately 3.14. And, it’s a great time to introduce the concepts of circumference and diameter in a relevant, fun way.
I like to have students learn about a new concept though exploration and discovery. Instead of teaching a rule they’ve that will be forgotten, students generate the rule through what they believe is exploration and play.
Begin the lesson by telling students they will be have a Pi Day! Of course, they’ll think they’re getting cherry, apple or lemon meringue pie but, no, they will be learning about the Greek number, Pi.
Students will need a tape measure, ruler, paper and pencil. Send them on a scavenger hunt to find circular or cylindrical objects. Have them make a chart and record the circumference and diameter. Have students take the circumference and divide it by the diameter to discover the number, Pi. Discuss what students have discovered.
When they ask where’s the pie, tell them they’ve just discovered it! THEN bring out some pie to eat to celebrate and culminate the activity.
I have a FREE activity in my TpT store that includes this activity in worksheet format with a vocabulary key of new words.
