Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Pi Day (March 14)
Dan Schmidt
Santa Rosa District Schools
Description
Students will determine the value of π by measuring the circumference and diameter of circular objects such as soup cans, Oreo cookies, etc..
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
LA.A.1.4.2
The student selects and uses strategies to understand words and text, and to make and confirm inferences from what is read, including interpreting diagrams, graphs, and statistical illustrations.
LA.A.2.4.4
The student locates, gathers, analyzes, and evaluates written information for a variety of purposes, including research projects, real-world tasks, and self-improvement.
MA.A.1.4.4
Understands that numbers can be represented in a variety of equivalent forms using integers, fractions, decimals, and percents, scientific notation, exponents, radicals, absolute value, or logarithms.
MA.A.3.4.3
Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides real numbers, including square roots and exponents using appropriate methods of computing (mental mathematics, paper-and-pencil, calculator).
MA.B.1.4.1
Uses concrete and graphic models to derive formulas for finding perimeter, area, surface area, circumference, and volume of two- and three- dimensional shapes including rectangular solids, cylinders, cones and pyramids.
MA.B.2.4.1
Selects and uses direct (measured) or indirect (not measured) methods of measurement as appropriate.
Florida Process Standards
Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.
Systems Managers
07 Florida students integrate their knowledge and understanding of how social, organizational, informational, and technological systems work with their abilities to analyze trends, design and improve systems, and use and maintain appropriate technology.
Materials
- Pi Day Worksheet (See attached file.)
- Circular objects: Oreo cookie, soup can, and drinking cup
- Ruler (centimeter or inch)
- String
- Marker (mark string)
- Calculator
Preparations
1. Run-off Pi Day Worksheet for each student.
2. One centimeter or inch ruler for each group.
3. Roll of kite string.
4. Marker for each group.
5. Calculator for each group.
6. Three circular objects to measure for each group.
Procedures
This lesson is similar to one done by the math department at Washington-Marion High School in Lousiana on March 14th of every year. This activity can be used after discussing how to determine Circumference of circular objects or on March 14 of each year (3-14).
1. Break students in groups of two.
2. One student in each group will get required materials (worksheet, circular objects, ruler, string and marker).
One student will be responsible for measuring objects and the other will be responsible for recording results.
3. Students measure the circumference and diameter of each object using the string and record results on the worksheet. (Note: mark the string and then measure the string against the ruler.)
4. Students will then calculate the value of π by dividing the diameter into the circumference (C/d) and record answer on the worksheet.
5. Compare the calculated value of π with 3.14 (standard approximated value of π).
6. Each group will write down some reasons why they think their calculated value of π may differ from 3.14, (standard approximated value of π).
Assessments
The worksheet should contain the following information:
-Name of object measured.
-Measurement of Circumference of object (in correct units).
-Measurement of Diameter of object (in correct units).
-Calculation of π as a fraction and a decimal.
-Difference of calculated π and 3.14 ( standard approximated value of π).
-Reasons why calculated value of π may differ from 3.14 (standard approximated value of π).
Rubric attached.
Extensions
1. This lesson could easily be condensed or expanded as far as the amount and type of objects used.
2. The measurement in different units also may be used. Just remember larger units of measurement will generally create a greater difference in the standard approximated value of π.
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