{"id":9132,"date":"2024-03-12T07:29:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T11:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=9132"},"modified":"2024-03-11T21:09:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T01:09:33","slug":"beyond-the-digits-elevating-your-pi-day-celebrations-with-music-art-and-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/03\/beyond-the-digits-elevating-your-pi-day-celebrations-with-music-art-and-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Digits: Elevating Your Pi Day Celebrations with Music, Art, and Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What did Pi say when asked if they could explain <\/strong><br><strong>what Pi Day was again?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cI don\u2019t want to repeat myself.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">On March 14, 1988, physicist and San Francisco Science Museum employee Larry Shaw revolutionized how we celebrate mathematics by organizing the first-ever Pi Day. This date, representing the first three digits of Pi, also happens to coincide with the birthday of the legendary Albert Einstein, who was born on March 14, 1879.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pi Day is now a global school celebration marked by diverse activities like pie-eating contests, recitation challenges, and Pi-themed crafts. Incorporating technology and cross-curricular learning activities offers opportunities to add an extra layer of engagement and fun to your Pi Day celebrations to capture the attention of even the most math-phobic students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unleash the Power of Pi through Music:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024_MAR_12_Elevating_Your_Pi_Day_Hall-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024_MAR_12_Elevating_Your_Pi_Day_Hall-1-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024_MAR_12_Elevating_Your_Pi_Day_Hall-1-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024_MAR_12_Elevating_Your_Pi_Day_Hall-1-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024_MAR_12_Elevating_Your_Pi_Day_Hall-1.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introduce Pi Day with music videos set to popular songs, then ask students to write or perform a Pi Day song. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yout-ube.com\/watch?v=XLK89OXaxz8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This <\/a>example, set to \u201c867-5309\/Jenny<em>,<\/em>\u201d is an excellent choice to share with students as inspiration for how to create a Pi Day music video. Another student-created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RdZyxh1i7Uc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">example<\/a> features seventh graders showing their creativity with their adaptation of Pharrell William\u2019s \u201cHappy<em>.\u201d<\/em> Here are two other ways to complete this activity: &nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FVVeK9xjM04\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">instrumental version<\/a> of &#8220;867-5309\/Jenny&#8221; and the lyrics from the parody video to have students create and film a video about Pi. You can find many other instrumental versions of popular songs on YouTube.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find the Song Generator tool on MagicSchool.ai (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19888\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) to write a custom song to the tune of your choice, then have groups of students perform their Pi songs. The Song Generator tool works best when asked to use popular songs that have a catchy chorus, such as \u201cWalking on Sunshine\u201d or \u201cWe Are the Champions.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share music videos designed to teach the concept of Pi with catchy lyrics, such as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h4mQ_IVIRpo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pi Day &#8211; the song<\/a>\u201d and \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.yout-ube.com\/watch?v=lVf9jkQ2QqA&amp;list=PL_qTKPgjtfbZDXdOZ1JVOwC-LSk9WIW8y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pi for Kids<\/a>.\u201d You can also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use EdPuzzle (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=15288\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) or Twee (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19936\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) to generate a set of questions for students to answer about the content of these videos.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share teaching videos on a Symbaloo Learning Path (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17347\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) as part of a flipped learning activity. Add videos, websites, interactives, quizzes, and more to your learning path to provide options for student choice and differentiation of activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a symphony with friends using Pi to structure the composition. Assign everyone a number from 1 through 9 and have each person create a musical sound associated with their number. Use sounds like claps, hums, snaps, whistles, knocks, and beats on a drum or tambourine or other available musical instruments, and use zero as a rest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Express Pi through Art:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a Pi Skyline with the directions on Math Art for Kids: Pi Skyline (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17354\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>). You can also try these adaptations:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Instead of coloring in the graph with markers as demonstrated in the article, use graph paper and colored squares of construction paper to create a skyline graph mosaic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a 3D printer is available, challenge students to design a Pi skyline using the printer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create circular or spiral Pi art projects such as the one shown in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/vector\/pi-spiral-first-100-digits-of-the-circle-number-pi-forming-a-spiral-gm1414621212-463284141?utm_source=pixabay&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=ADP_illustration_sponsored_P1&amp;utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fpixabay.com%2Fillustrations%2Fpi-circle-diameter-circumference-1343261%2F&amp;utm_term=pi+circle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this image<\/a> from Pixabay (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=14167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>). Challenge students to include as many digits of Pi as they can!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Embrace Pi with Technology:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conduct a digital conversation about Pi Day with this <a href=\"https:\/\/app.schoolai.com\/space?code=7BUR&amp;sessionId=clryzu0e623y8ptbde050dru0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">online chatbot<\/a> on SchoolAI (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19994\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>). Use this conversation to learn about Pi and its many uses and to clarify misconceptions about the understanding of Pi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find your Pi birthday (or any other day) at <a href=\"https:\/\/mypiday.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyPiDay<\/a>. This site uses the Wolfram Language to calculate Pi to millions of digits quickly, then uses this information to locate dates within the string of digits. Ask students to use MyPiDay to find the location of their birthdate, then compare results and place them in numerical order. Do students see any patterns or reasoning behind the results?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try this <a href=\"https:\/\/platform.breakoutedu.com\/game\/play\/pi-day-digital-breakout-4th-6th-grades-90608\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pi Day digital breakout<\/a> in groups, or create a digital escape room using Google or Microsoft tools. Learn how to make a digital escape room by watching <a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OK2Ask: Engage &amp; Inspire: Digital Escapes with Google<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19324\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OK2Ask: Engage &amp; Inspire: Digital Escapes with Microsoft<\/a> on demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How about some Pi Day trivia? Use this <a href=\"https:\/\/quizizz.com\/admin\/quiz\/5c7690e35d73dc001a81960f?source=quiz_share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">existing quiz<\/a> from Quizziz (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=16739\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) to test your students\u2019 knowledge of Pi either as a live quiz or as an asynchronous practice activity. If desired, copy and edit the quiz to suit your needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pi Day is not just about numbers; it&#8217;s a chance to infuse fun into learning math. Find many other Pi Day learning activities and suggestions in this <a href=\"https:\/\/wakelet.com\/i\/invite?code=sfudne08\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wakelet collection<\/a>, or add your favorite activities! Share your Pi Day suggestions in the comments below, and let&#8217;s make this Pi Day a memorable celebration of numbers, creativity, and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">P.S.\u2014What\u2019s the official animal of Pi Day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pi-thon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What did Pi say when asked if they could explain what Pi Day was again? \u201cI don\u2019t want to repeat myself.\u201d On March 14, 1988, physicist and San Francisco Science Museum employee Larry Shaw revolutionized how we celebrate mathematics by organizing the first-ever Pi Day. This date, representing the first three digits of Pi, also &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2024\/03\/beyond-the-digits-elevating-your-pi-day-celebrations-with-music-art-and-technology\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[46,45,54,22],"class_list":["post-9132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-lesson-ideas","tag-math","tag-resources","tag-stem"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9132"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9392,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9132\/revisions\/9392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}