If there is such a thing as a math holiday, maybe Pi Day is it?! As pi = 3.14… we celebrate it on 3/14 or March 14, which is this Friday! Find ideas and inspiration below to bring some silly, mathy fun to your classroom. 🥧
Can You Draw a Perfect Circle?
Project this website onto your board and see if who can draw a perfect circle! It gives you a percentage and keeps track of the high score.
Above is the “Perfect Circle Drawing Champion” for one of my classes back in 2016!
Or watch this teacher draw a near-perfect circle on his chalkboard!
The Classic Middle School Pi Activity
The classic activity for middle school is using string to measure the circumference of different circles, a ruler to measure the diameter, and then discovering that C/d equals pi.
Another fun activity is to assign different colors to each digit. Print out the first few hundred digits of pi and have students work to create a paper chain that represents pi! Here’s mine from last year!
Pi Day Activities from Desmos
This collection of monthly challenges from Desmos is focused on Pi Day for March! Find an intro video that explains the challenge plus links to assign the activity to students! There is a K-5 challenge and one for 6-8.
Domino Spiral Video for Pi Day
This short video is always a winner to play on Pi Day!
Circle Food
Not everyone can celebrate in their classroom with food. However, if food is okay you might be wondering what food kids will enjoy that helps celebrate the day. While some kids love pie, I’ve learned it’s not always a winner.
Here are a few inexpensive, food ideas you can use if food is allowed in your celebration*
Lifesavers
Moon Pies
Oatmeal Cream Pies
Oreos
Licorice ropes (for measuring circumference instead of string)
*remember to consider allergies, other dietary restrictions, and students fasting for Ramadan.