Celebrating Pi Day Across the Curriculum

One of my key priorities as an assistant principal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among our teachers, allowing them to design engaging cross-curricular activities. This can be a complex task, particularly as our math, reading, English language arts (ELA), science, and social studies teachers do not have the same planning periods throughout the school day. However, I have arranged time for fruitful planning sessions with our dedicated math and reading instructional lead teachers, who play a pivotal role in facilitating this collaborative effort across disciplines.

In addition to my role as assistant principal, I am the leader of the math department. In this role, I take immense pride in celebrating Pi Day, an event that always sparks curiosity and excitement among students. In past years, our math department has wholeheartedly embraced the festivities of Pi Day, and this school year, I have set my sights on extending these celebrations to involve the entire school community. To further commemorate this mathematical holiday, I will also be organizing a Math Night on March 13, inviting students and families to participate in a variety of engaging activities that highlight the significance of pi. 

Schools can achieve a similarly interdisciplinary celebration by using activities like those we have planned, outlined below. 

Celebrating in Math Class: Pi and Numeracy

Math teachers across all grade levels will introduce a series of challenging and engaging Pi Puzzles to promote problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Students will work rigorously to apply the value of pi in various mathematical contexts, from calculating the area of circles to solving real-world problems. Additionally, we will conduct a contest to see who can memorize and recite the most digits of pi, fostering a deeper appreciation for this irrational number and the concept of memorization itself.

Celebrating in ELA: Pi and Creative Writing

For students in grades 6–8, the ELA instructors will guide them through the process of authorship by encouraging them to write and publish their own narrative books centered around the theme of pi. 

Students will have the opportunity to craft short stories, whimsical poems, or inventive “pi-ku,” which are poems resembling haiku that pay homage to pi. This creative endeavor will allow students to express their understanding of pi in a unique literary format, blending mathematics with ELA.

Celebrating in Social Studies: The History of Pi

Our grades 6–8 social studies teachers will lead students in researching how ancient civilizations, such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese, experienced and approximated pi. Students will delve into historical contexts, understanding how these cultures incorporated pi into their architecture, astronomy, and everyday activities. 

Following their research, students will create an informative timeline or map that showcases the evolution of pi across various civilizations. Additionally, they will engage in thoughtful discussion on the profound impact of pi on the construction of iconic structures, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and ancient circular arenas. 

Celebrating in Science: The Exploration of Pi

In our grades 6–8 science classes, teachers will guide students in an exploration of the fascinating applications of pi in space and aviation. This involves investigating how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other space agencies utilize pi in calculations related to orbits, spacecraft design, and planetary exploration. To provide a hands-on learning experience, teachers will set up engaging activities in which students calculate the circumference of various celestial bodies or orbits using pi. 

Celebrating as a Community

We are excited to launch Pi Day and our Math Night Celebration this year. These events are not just about mathematics but also about bringing together students, faculty, and families in a joyous exploration of the subject. Through these interdisciplinary activities, we hope to cultivate a deeper understanding of pi, spark intellectual curiosity, and celebrate the beauty of mathematics in a collaborative and festive environment. We encourage everyone in our school community to join us in this celebration. 

To ensure a vibrant turnout, I joined forces with my dedicated school counselors, the parent liaison, and the community school coordinator. Together, we will create eye-catching flyers and timely robocalls that spread the word about this exciting event. As an added incentive to draw families in, we will serve pizza slices alongside an assortment of pies during Pi Night, promising an evening filled with food, fun, and unforgettable memories.

By organizing engaging festivities for Pi Day across the entire school and hosting a special Pi Night, I aim to cultivate a shared appreciation within our school community for the significance of this mathematical holiday. Through interactive activities, delicious pie tastings, informative presentations, and exciting competitions, I want everyone to experience firsthand why Pi Day truly deserves all the excitement and enthusiasm that surrounds it.

This article is dedicated to my awesome teacher leaders who work tirelessly to expose students to enriching activities. Kudos to Alexis Epps, Demris Lee, Kim Ealy-Lambert, Ian Thorne, Michelle Funches, Miranda Peterson, Angelic Fletcher, Tracey McCormack, and Deborah Branch.