It\’s National Pi day!
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.
Pi has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond its decimal point. As an irrational and transcendental number, it will continue infinitely without repetition or pattern. While only a handful of digits are needed for typical calculations, Pi’s infinite nature makes it a fun challenge to memorize and to computationally calculate more and more digits.
First, look at the date; it’s 3.14 which is the written form of the mathematical symbol known as Pi. How cool is that? Pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The ratio is ALWAYS 3.14! 3.14 is the day people all over the world irrationally and irreverently celebrate this important mathematical constant. It’s the only number with its own holiday.
Most scholars consider Pi to be the most important and fascinating number in all of mathematics. Technically, the mathematical constant pi is an irrational, or never-ending number, created by dividing the circumference of a circle by its diameter. It is a number that begins with 3.14 but then goes on and on never repeating itself for infinity.~PiDay.org
A Pi Day Booklist
It Happened One Pi Day: The Easy Way to Memorize Pi
A powerful and elegant method for memorizing Pi, or any number, is wrapped into this charming book with beautiful illustrations. Written by a family who tapped into the most cutting-edge competitive memory techniques, found some pretty serious success (now easily rattling off hundreds of digits each!), and decided to share it with the rest of us.
Joss is the seventh son of the Supreme Overlord of the Universe. His older brothers help his dad rule the cosmos, but all Joss gets to do is deliver pies. That\’s right: pies. Of course, these pies actually hold the secrets of the universe between their buttery crusts, but they\’re still pies.
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein
There’s lots of fun science and physics play and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Albert Einstein. Travel along with Einstein on a journey full of curiosity, laughter, and scientific discovery. Parents and children alike will appreciate this moving story of the powerful difference imagination can make in any life.
The History of Pi by Petr Beckman
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander
Why Pi? by DK Books
Pieces of Pi by Naila Bokhari
Something To Do: Pi Celebration
Let’s be corny, I think we need to make a pie. Sorry I had to go there. I just can’t stop myself. It’s round and we can measure the circumference before we eat it and then after as it gets smaller in size. It doesn’t matter if it’s an apple pie, a cherry pie, or a chocolate pie. It’s just time to eat in the round. But remember that I’m quite a giver so with that I’m going to share the Best Ever Chocolate Chip Pie recipe.
The Best Chocolate Chip Pie Ever
In my home state of Tennesee, this particular dessert is known as Courtney Orr’s Chocolate Chip Pie, and making this treat would be the perfect start to Pi Fest.
Ingredients
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell *
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup (6 oz.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream (optional)
Instructions
PREHEAT oven to 325° F.
BEAT eggs in a large mixer bowl at high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.
BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until the knife inserted halfway between the edge and center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.
* If using frozen pie shell, use deep-dish style, thawed completely. Bake on baking sheet; increase baking time slightly.
Pi Fun
Some of us make a pie and other people, like math and science game wizard Cy Tymony focus on teaching people fun ways to enjoy and learn more about science and mathematics. Cy is the author of the young adult educational book series “Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things”. These books are packed with cool math and science games and projects for kids and teens to play.
This year Cy created www.PiDayFun.com – an educational website dedicated to making Pi Day math memorable with free tips on how kids can have lots of fun using discarded items and without special tools. The site contains 5 Free ‘Pi’ and Math Projects.
There’s a free download for a whole set of Pi Cards, and directions on how to create a Sneaky Pi Detector, and instructions on how to make a Sneaky Pi Quizzer.
A huge thank you to Cy Tymony for making my Pi Card and for sending a Sneaky Pi Detector along with it. We’re having so much fun with Pi. Cy will be back on Jump into a Book a bit later with his new Sneaky Math book.
Want to learn how to recite Pi to 100 digits in 4 minutes or less? Common, who’s Brave?
It’s time to be on a memory mission. Did you know that the more digits of pi you memorize the easier it will be for you to learn math? It’s true. Research from Harvard shows that the more you memorize pi, the better your brain works mathematically.
What will you do to celebrate Pi Day?
A Year in the Secret Garden
As parents, we want/need quality books with extension activities to help our young ones unplug and create memories. Pulling books from shelves, and stories from pages is also an important act that will the habit of being life-long readers. Quality books with companion book extension activities are not only working to create special family time, but it also allows kids to solve the world’s problems without major consequences. A Year in the Secret Garden is just such a book.
This delightful children’s book that is co-written by Marilyn Scott-Waters and Valarie Budyar and it offers original month-by-month activities that allow readers to delve deeper into the classic children’s tale, The Secret Garden.
Within the 120 pages (with 150 original color illustrations and 48 activities)families will find many activities inspired by The Secret Garden that encourages them to step away from technology and enjoy getting hands and feet into the black earth of a family garden. This book will make a great gift and be the catalyst for many hours of family growth, learning, and FUN!
Grab your copy ASAP and “meet me in the garden!” More details HERE!
