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Week 28: Circles and Pi

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Kindergarten
Duration 25 minutes
Lesson Type Single-Week
STREAM Focus M (Math), S (Science), R (Religion), A (Art)

Week 28: Circles and Pi

๐ŸŽฏ Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Identify circles in the classroom and natural world 2. Understand that circles are special shapes with no corners 3. Explore circles through art and movement 4. Hear about Pi (ฯ€) as a special number about circles

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Marvel at how God used circles in creation (sun, moon, planets) 2. Recognize that math patterns show God's design 3. Thank God for the wonder of circles

๐Ÿ™ Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Wonder at Creation โ€” God created the world with beautiful patterns and shapes. Circles appear everywhere in nature โ€” the sun, the moon, flowers, tree rings, eyes. These patterns show God's amazing design!

Scripture Connection

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." โ€” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Wonder Question

"Have you ever wondered why so many things in nature are round? The sun, the moon, oranges, flowers... God must love circles!"

๐Ÿ“š Materials and Preparation

Materials Needed

Item Quantity Source
Circular objects Collection Classroom/home
Paper plates 1 per student Classroom
Circle stickers Various sizes Classroom
Crayons/markers Class set Classroom
Round snacks (optional) 1 per student Teacher
Yarn/string Lengths Classroom
"Circle Hunt" sheet 1 per student Teacher-made

Teacher Preparation

  • Gather circular objects (plate, clock, ball, coin, etc.)

  • Prepare circle art supplies

  • Optional: Round snacks (cookies, crackers)

  • Create circle hunt sheet

  • Practice saying "Pi Day" and showing ฯ€ symbol

๐Ÿ“ Lesson Procedure

โฑ๏ธ Timing Guide (25 minutes)

Section Time Activity
Opening Prayer & Wonder 3 min Prayer about circles
Circle Discovery 7 min What is a circle?
Pi Day Introduction 3 min Special number
Circle Art 10 min Create with circles
Closing 2 min Celebration

1. Opening Prayer & Wonder (3 minutes)

Prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for creating such a beautiful world with amazing shapes and patterns. Help us to see Your design in everything, especially circles! Amen."

Wonder Question:

"Look at my eyes. What shape are they? Look at the clock. What shape is it? God put circles EVERYWHERE!"

2. Circle Discovery (7 minutes)

What is a circle?

"A circle is a special shape. It's perfectly round with NO corners. It goes around and around without stopping."

Trace a circle in the air together:

"Let's draw a circle in the air with our fingers. Round and round... it never stops!"

Circle show and tell: Show various circular objects:

  • Clock

  • Plate

  • Ball

  • Coin

  • Orange (or picture)

Circles in nature: Show pictures:

  • Sun

  • Full moon

  • Flower centers

  • Tree rings

  • Eyes

Discussion:

"Why do you think God made so many things in circles?"

Possible answers:

  • They roll easily

  • They have no sharp edges

  • They're beautiful

  • They're strong (like a wheel)

3. Pi Day Introduction (3 minutes)

Simple Pi explanation:

"Today is a special day called Pi Day! Pi (show ฯ€ symbol) is a very special number that tells us about circles. It's like a magic number that helps people measure circles!"

Show March 14:

"Pi Day is March 14 because Pi starts with 3.14. March is the 3rd month, and today is the 14th day!"

Keep it simple:

"Scientists and mathematicians love Pi because it helps them understand circles. And we know that God made circles! So Pi helps us understand God's creation!"

Optional chant:

"Pi, Pi, circles in the sky! God made circles, and so will I!"

4. Circle Art (10 minutes)

Activity: Circle Creation

Option A: Circle Animal/Face

  • Paper plate as base (circle face)

  • Circle stickers for eyes, nose, ears

  • Create a circle animal or person

Option B: Circle Scene

  • Draw a picture using ONLY circles

  • Sun, flowers, snowman, balloons, etc.

Option C: Circle Pattern

  • Use different sized circles

  • Create a pattern or design

Instructions:

"Use circles to create something! You can make a face, an animal, a picture of nature โ€” anything you want, but it has to use CIRCLES!"

While students work:

  • "What circles did you use?"

  • "Where do you see circles in your picture?"

  • "What in nature does your picture remind you of?"

5. Closing Celebration (2 minutes)

Share:

"Hold up your circle art! Look at all those beautiful circles!"

Optional: Circle snack If you have round snacks:

"Here's a circle snack to celebrate Pi Day!"

Faith Connection:

"Isn't it amazing how God put circles all around us? In the sun that gives us light, in the flowers that make us smile, in the wheels that help us move. Every time you see a circle, remember how creative and amazing God is!"

Closing Prayer:

"Thank you, God, for circles! Thank you for the round sun, the full moon, and all the beautiful circles in Your creation. Help us always to see Your design in the world. Happy Pi Day! Amen."

โœ… Assessment

Observation Checklist

Skill Observed
Can identify circles โ˜
Knows circles have no corners โ˜
Found circles in nature/classroom โ˜
Created art using circles โ˜
Connected circles to God's creation โ˜

Success Criteria

  • Student can point to and identify circles

  • Student creates art with circle shapes

  • Student expresses wonder at circles in creation

๐Ÿ”„ Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-cut circle shapes to glue

  • Focus on identifying circles (less creating)

  • Trace circles with hand-over-hand help

  • Partner with buddy

For Advanced Learners

  • Count circles in their art

  • Compare circle sizes (big, medium, small)

  • Create a pattern with circles (AB, ABC)

  • Look for circles at home for homework

๐Ÿ†˜ Substitute Teacher Notes

Simplified version: 1. Prayer about God's creation 2. Go on a "circle hunt" around the room 3. Color a circle picture 4. Share what circles you found 5. Closing prayer

Key message:

"God put circles everywhere in creation โ€” the sun, moon, flowers, eyes! Circles are special!"

๐Ÿ“– Vocabulary

Word Definition Visual Cue
Circle A round shape with no corners โญ•
Round Shaped like a ball or circle Ball
Pi (ฯ€) A special number about circles ฯ€ symbol
Pattern When shapes repeat in order Circle-circle-square
Sphere A 3D circle (like a ball) Ball

๐Ÿ“‹ Circle Hunt Sheet

+---------------------------------------------------------+
|                      CIRCLE HUNT!                       |
|                 Name: ________________                  |
|                                                         |
|  Find circles in our classroom! Draw what you find:     |
|                                                         |
|  +-------------+  +-------------+  +-------------+      |
|  |   Circle    |  |   Circle    |  |   Circle    |      |
|  |     #1      |  |     #2      |  |     #3      |      |
|  +-------------+  +-------------+  +-------------+      |
|                                                         |
|  Draw circles you see in NATURE:                        |
|  +-----------------------------------------------+      |
|  |                                               |      |
|  |                                               |      |
|  +-----------------------------------------------+      |
|                                                         |
|  God made circles everywhere!                           |
+---------------------------------------------------------+

๐Ÿ“Ž Home Connection

Family Note:

"Today we celebrated Pi Day (March 14 = 3.14) by exploring circles! We discovered that God put circles everywhere in creation โ€” the sun, moon, flowers, eyes, and more. Your child made circle art and went on a circle hunt. This week, go on a circle hunt together at home or outside. How many circles can you find? Talk about how God's creation is full of beautiful patterns and shapes!"

Lesson Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025-12-05