Hold an after-school Pi Day reception, where students perform original Pi Day songs, or songs they find on TeachPi.org. Hand out Pi Day carols to the audience, and find a musical teacher or student to lead a sing-along. Go to the music page…
» Use the event to announce the winners and give prizes to the students behind the top Pi Day projects.
Lead your class in the singing of Pi Day carols, or have a musically-inclined student lead the way. Find several songs here.
» Many schools choose 1:59 to begin their singing revelry. This is, of course, Pi Minute (3/14, 1:59).
Ask students to compose an original song, poem, or piece of art about Pi Day or the number pi. Hold presentations/exhibits, and present any artistic awards, on Pi Day.
» How about a “Pi-ku” poetry contest? (Think Haiku.) For example:
Unending digits…
Why not keep it simple, like
Twenty-two sevenths?
Play pi-themed songs over the P.A. system between classes, to get people in the Pi Day spirit. We’re talking about classic hits that relate to Pi Day, as opposed to actual Pi Day carols.
» Dutch Fork H.S. in Columbia, SC played “American Pie” and “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” over the speakers during passing periods on the big day.
Read your students a Pi story, such as “Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi,” by Cindy Neuschwander. Or choose a selection from a more heady work, like David Blatner’s “The Joy of Pi.”
Sing “Happy Birthday” to Albert Einstein, who was born on a blessed Pi Day in 1879.
» Independent Day School in Tampa, FL chooses the Pi Minute, 1:59, to belt out this tribute.
For extra credit, encourage small groups of students to make a short film about pi. Suggest both music videos and live-action skits.
» Two seniors at Downington H.S. West in Philadelphia filmed the story of shopping for pie ingredients at the grocery store, baking the pies, and then, in artful slow-mo, a pie-in-the-face fight, set to a variety of songs that included Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4.”
Compile a recipe book of pies and desserts, from parents and colleagues, and hold an art contest for a pi-themed book cover. Encourage the recipe donors to bring in actual examples!
» Arlington M.S. in Poughkeepsie, NY turned this recipe book project into a charitable one: 90 homemade pies, quiches, and pizzas (with accompanying recipes) were donated to a local food shelf.
At a school-wide Pi Day assembly, hold a school spirit contest to see which grade can shout “3 point 1 4 1 5 9!” the very loudest. Or, try a longer chant. (see below)
» The sixth grade beat the older classes to claim the Warrior Spirit Stick at Stephen Mack M.S. in Rockford, IL in 2003.
» Here’s an example of a good, loud school chant. It can be responsive, where each line is yelled by a different grade, and then all grades shout the final line, inserting their own number for maximal school-spirit effect.
We love Pi Day to the core! March 14th is 3 1 4!
Here’s where Math gets really fun! Pi starts 3 point 1 4 1!
Let’s make Pi Day come alive! Let’s go, 3 1 4 1 5!
Pi Day’s (4th) Grade’s chance to shine! 3 point 1 4 1 5 9!