Third graders in Mrs. Page’s class got an exciting early introduction to the mathematical constant π (3.14159…)—just one day before Pi Day, which this year falls on a Saturday!
Students began by acting out circumference divided by diameter, then chorally read about Pi Day together. They watched engaging videos that explained the history of the day, including a fun and memorable song set to the tune of Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” to help them remember the first 100 digits of π. The class watched in awe as a world record-holder rapidly recited digits of pi for nearly a minute, amazed by the speed and precision. “Mrs. Page,” they said, “that video is 18 minutes long!”
Next, students paired up, grabbed a clipboard, and took a length of yarn outside to explore circles in action. Working together, they measured the circumference of different round objects, then tested their findings: did the yarn stretch across the circle’s midpoint (the diameter) about three times with a little left over? Through hands-on discovery, they found that no matter the size of the circle, the circumference divided by the diameter always came out to three and a little extra—π!
While students explored, Mrs. Page arranged a special “pi” celebration—a circle of single-serving pies generously donated by a parent, paired with oatmeal cookie pies she had brought. The class gathered to observe the ultimate “double pi/pie” in action, confirming once again that π is all around us!
To finish the celebration, each student selected a pie to enjoy and sat together at the benches, happily munching while completing their data sheets—combining learning, discovery, and a delicious treat in the most memorable way.
