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🥧 Week 28: Pi Day Math & Coding

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 30 minutes
STREAM Focus M (Math), T (Technology), A (Art)

Week 28: Pi Day Math & Coding

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Identify circles in the world around them 2. Understand that pi relates to circles 3. Measure and compare circle sizes 4. Create circle art with Sphero

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Recognize circles in God's creation 2. Connect infinity of pi to God's infinite nature 3. Find wonder in mathematical patterns

Week 28: Pi Day Math & Coding

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

God's Mathematical Order — God created the universe with beautiful mathematical patterns. Pi is a number that goes on forever — infinite, just like God! When mathematicians discovered pi, they found a glimpse of God's infinite design.

Scripture Connection

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart." — Ecclesiastes 3:11

Saint Connection

Fr. Georges Lemaître — A Catholic priest and mathematician who used math to understand the universe. He showed that faith and mathematics work together.

📚 Materials Needed

  • Various circular objects

  • String or measuring tape

  • Pi Day treats (optional)

  • Sphero robots with iPads

  • Markers/paint for Sphero art

  • Large paper

  • Circle templates

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer & Introduction (4 min)

Prayer: "Creator God, You made the universe with amazing patterns. Help us discover the wonder of circles today. Thank You for mathematicians who find Your design in numbers! Amen."

Introduce Pi Day:

  • "March 14 is Pi Day! (3.14)"

  • "Pi is a special number about circles"

  • "It goes on FOREVER — 3.14159265359..."

Wonder moment: "A number that never ends! Just like God, pi is infinite!"

Circle Hunt (5 min)

Find circles everywhere!

  • Look around the room

  • Identify circles (clocks, plates, wheels, etc.)

  • Name circles in nature (sun, moon, flowers)

Discussion:

  • "God made so many circles!"

  • "Why do you think circles are so common in creation?"

Circle Measurement (6 min)

Simple activity:

  • Measure around different circles using string

  • Compare: bigger circles = more string

  • "The distance around a circle is related to pi!"

Grade-appropriate explanation:

  • "If you measure across and then around, there's a special pattern"

  • "Mathematicians call this pattern pi!"

Sphero Circle Art (12 min)

Setup:

  • Large paper on floor

  • Attach marker to Sphero

  • Program Sphero to draw circles

Activity:

  • Students program Sphero to draw circles

  • Layer different sizes

  • Create circle art patterns

Variations:

  • Small circles inside big circles

  • Circle patterns and designs

  • Collaborative class artwork

Prompts:

  • "Can you make a bigger circle?"

  • "What happens with different speeds?"

  • "Can you make a pattern of circles?"

Closing Celebration (3 min)

Show circle art creations.

Faith Connection: "The number pi goes on forever — it's infinite! Only God is truly infinite, but He put hints of His infinity in creation. When mathematicians study pi, they're exploring a tiny piece of God's amazing design!"

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for circles and pi and patterns everywhere. Your creation is full of wonder! Help us always see Your beauty in mathematics and science. Amen."

Optional: Share Pi Day treats (circular cookies, mini pies).

✅ Assessment

  • Identified circles in the classroom

  • Participated in measurement activity

  • Created circle art with Sphero

  • Connected circles to God's creation

📎 Home Connection

"We celebrated Pi Day! Ask your child to find circles in your home. Talk about how pi is a number that never ends — like God's love! Look for circles in nature on your next family walk."

Lesson Version: 1.0 | **