Pi Day Ideas for Middle School Math
Do you have exciting plans for Pi Day activities in your math class?
Maybe you have some tried and true favorites, or maybe you’re looking for something new.
Whether you teach 5th or 6th grade math, elementary math or higher levels of math, Pi Day is a day that can be celebrated and used to explore the concept of Pi – in so many different ways!
Pi Day Activity
I tried it with donuts recently…..can be a little messy, but fun!
In my pictures, you’ll notice I had some donuts with icing and sprinkles….I’d suggest NOT using those if you want to minimize mess:-)
Materials for Pi Day activity:
1) Donuts
2) Licorice ‘strings’ for measuring (if you have tape measures that would be best, but I never had those in my classroom, so I went with the string idea)
3) Ruler
Steps for Discovering Pi Using Donuts
Once students mark the circumference on the string or the licorice, they measure that length.
2) Measure the diameter of the donut in the same way.
3) Divide the circumference by the diameter.
Discussing the Results
Take some time to compare students’ results and help them analyze the data by discussing questions like:
How close are students’ results to each other?
- Have students list the results on the board as they complete the calculations, so they can see all results.
- Perhaps find the average of all results.
How close are the calculations to Pi?
What could cause students’ calculations to be less accurate than others’?
- Were their donuts perfect circles?
- How carefully did they measure the circumference and diameter of the donut?
- How carefully did they move the string to the ruler?
Once the discussion is done, students can enjoy the donut treat!
Pi Day Activity Posts
From The Colorado Classroom:
Pi Day Fun
Pi Day – Not Just Another Day
From Math Giraffe:
Unique Ideas for Pi Day
From We Are Teachers:
31.4 Mathtastic Pi Day Activities for the Classroom
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Pi Day and teach about Pi?
