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Dawn
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| Posted: March 04 2006 at 2:59pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone heard of this?
Normally I'm not a gung-ho math type of person, but my mother-in-law (a Catholic HS advanced math teacher) is visiting next weekend and she told us she will bring a Pie for dessert to celebrate "National Pi Day" which is coming up on 3.14 ... 
Now, my oldest is only 10 1/2, but when I told him what Grandma was planning, he was positively *tickled* (he's a gung-ho math kid) ... He has asked to learn some things about Pi so he can talk with his grandmother about it next week. As you might imagine, I'd love for him to have a bit of a grasp of the Pi concept for this get-together (at a 10 yo level of course  ).
Any ideas for learning about Pi in a fun way would be much appreciated! Even just an explanation for me (that's how rusty my math is  )!
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MacBeth
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| Posted: March 04 2006 at 6:36pm | IP Logged
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Our local Math Museum has a contest for pi day... and more.
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Lissa
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My 10yo daughter loves this link. It converts the first umpteen digits of pi to music. Interesting concept!
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 05 2006 at 1:00am | IP Logged
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Dawn wrote:
| Any ideas for learning about Pi in a fun way would be much appreciated! Even just an explanation for me |
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The basic way to learn pi that I have always done with my kids - Have them measure the diameter and circumference of various circular objects around the house using tape measures or use string and then use meter sticks. Have them divide the circumference by the diameter. Should always get pi (or close to pi since our measurements might not always be exact.  )
This is a fun book for introducing the concept -
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
Here is a page with tons of links for all things "pi" .
I had not ever heard of the Pi Day celebrations so am glad you posted, Dawn. We'll look forward to it!
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Mary M. in Denver
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Dawn
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| Posted: March 05 2006 at 5:28am | IP Logged
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Thank you so much everyone ~ all the links and ideas are great! 
My MIL actually wrote about math and music for her Master's so it will be fun to show her Lissa's musical Pi site. She's always astounded that we not only have access to wonderful resources, but that we actually seek them out and use them with delight!
Thanks for the book tip Mary (I ordered it this morning; my library didn't have it!). Learning math with good books is right up my alley.
My Liam will be so excited! Yesterday, when he asked me how we were going to learn about Pi, after consulting every math book we own, including our Saxon 65, I said "Well, let me just ask my online Mama friends; I *know* they will be able to help."  Thanks again!
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 14 2006 at 1:04am | IP Logged
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Just bumping this thread - Happy "Pi Day" everyone!
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Dawn
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| Posted: March 14 2006 at 4:11am | IP Logged
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Yes, Happy Pi Day all!
Thanks again, Mary, for the book tip. Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi really made pi click with my guys. It came just in time last Friday and we spent a whole afternoon finding and measuring circles to compute for pi.
I think my inlaws were amazed at how much excitement "pi" had caused in our household ... we ate pizza "pi" for lunch and ice cream "pi" for dessert.
Yesterday I had the boys trace circles onto paper and then draw the pi symbol inside. All around the edges they drew pictures from the story, geometric designs and mathematical phrases. It was fun!
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Mary G
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| Posted: March 14 2006 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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We read three of the Sir Cumference books today in honor of Pi day -- since it's lent and we gave up desserts (so no pie  ) we decided we'll make shperherd's pie for dinner and the littles can explain to dad what Pi is!
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MaryM
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And when I was talking with the family yesterday about "pi day" my oldest son pointed out that there is also a "mole day" in October for the chemistry buffs. I'll have to remember that one, too.
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Dawn
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| Posted: March 20 2006 at 3:41am | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
| And when I was talking with the family yesterday about "pi day" my oldest son pointed out that there is also a "mole day" in October for the chemistry buffs. I'll have to remember that one, too. |
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Mary, how neat! I'll have to mark our calendar ... it certainly would put a new spin on our wedding anniversary (10/23) ...
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 14 2007 at 4:31am | IP Logged
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Bumping this! Happy "Pi" Day everyone!
[Edit: I see I bumped it last year also. I must really be into "pi" day ]
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Mary G
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| Posted: March 14 2007 at 7:52am | IP Logged
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And MaryM, I'm so glad you bumped it early enough for me to opt for some kind of pie for dinner .... spaghetti pie is always good or sherpherd's pie, or something .... the kids and I can do "cooking math" and "cooking art" all in one fell swoop!
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Denise in IL
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I've put an article about pi on my blog, with several fun links (including how to calculate pi by throwing frozen hot dogs):
Happy Pi Day!
http://letsplaymath.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/happy-pi-day/
And there will be some pi poetry posted at 3/14 1:59 p.m., if you want to check on it this afternoon.
Denise
http://letsplaymath.wordpress.com/
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Mary G
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| Posted: March 14 2007 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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First, welcome to the forum! You're really getting into the Pi Day spirit! Good for you. And posting poetry at 3.14.1.59 is too cool ... even for this non-math person
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nissag
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Yes, indeed! We have an engineer in the house - and a grandpa who is also an engineer. Pi Day celebrations are inevitable. I posted our Pi Day celebration on my home education blog
It's a bit of silliness, but lots of fun.
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marihalojen
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Pi R not Square
Brownies R Square
Pi R Round…
Nissa!
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Leonie
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It was a lot of fun - we didn't make pie but had a good discussion about pi and all the activities.
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 14 2008 at 2:40am | IP Logged
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Okay it appears I must be some kind of a "pi" nut. I just noticed I've bumped this every year - but hey, what can I say...
Happy Pi Day!
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Molly Smith
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I had an email yesterday from Cooking Light with their "Pi" recipes. It cracked me up! I didn't know anything about it!
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Denise in IL
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I have a new article up, if you would like some Pi Day activity ideas:
http://letsplaymath.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/happy-pi-day-20 08/
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4Real Forums : Living and Loving Numbers
Topic: National "Pi" Day
