Description
Our Pi Lesson Plan introduces the concept and use of Pi to find the area and circumference of a circle. With interactive activities to solidify understanding, students will be able to write Pi using at least four decimal places and use Pi to calculate the area and circumference of a circle. Engage creativity and critical thinking as students craft a story that uses Pi as a character.
Sample Classroom Procedure / Teacher Instruction
- Display the words Pi and Pie. Ask students: Can anyone tell how these two terms can be connected to each other?
- Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce the mathematical term: Pi.
- Distribute Pi content pages. Read and review the information with the students. Show additional examples showing a circle “stretched out” into a straight line. Save the final question for lesson closing. Use the additional resources to enhance understanding.
- Distribute Activity page. Read and review the instructions. Pair students. Distribute supplies. Once completed with the first part of the activity, the students share the objects and its measurements.
- Give students a sufficient time to memorize the 100 places of Pi. When ready, the pair of students are timed and mistakes counted to determine the “Pi Champions”. (Give prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, perhaps mini-pies, Moon pies, etc.)
- Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ responses. (Optional: Allow calculators.)
- Distribute the Homework page. Review the instructions. The story must contain at least one instance of the character, Pi, being used to find the area or circumference of a circle or both. The next day, student volunteers read their stories aloud to the class.
- In closing, ask: What do you think is the most interesting fact about Pi and why?
- Allow for responses and discussion.
Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.4
Class Sessions (45 minutes): At least 2 class sessions.
Additional Resources:
Want more math resources? Check out our other Math Lesson Plans!
