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Slice Into Fun: 5 Fascinating Facts About Pi

5 Fascinating Facts about Pi
Oh, the joy of Pi Day—a mathematical jubilee celebrating one of the most influential numbers ever devised: Pi.

“Pi Day” was first introduced by physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium in 1988. Nearly twenty-one years later, on March 11, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution officially designating March 14 as National Pi Day. Most people enjoy the day with delicious pies (in honor of the namesake) while chatting about the significance of Pi in mathematics and its applications in the real world.

Pi Day Facts

But What is Pi?

Pi (or the Greek letter π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. In other words, no matter the size of the circle, this ratio always remains constant. So, if you were to measure the circumference of any circle and divide it by the diameter, you would always get a value close to 3.14159 (which is shortened to 3.14 in most circles – no pun intended).

5 Rational Facts about an Irrational Number

As mentioned above, Pi Day is about two things: pie indulgence and exploring Pi’s quirky applications in the world around us. To help you on your Pi journey, here are five amazing facts about Pi that you probably didn’t know:

1. Pi is an irrational number, meaning the numbers in its decimal representation is infinite and non-repeating. Therefore, every number after 3.14 continues into infinity and no series of numbers ever repeats.

2. Pi Day also happens to fall on the birthday of one of the most influential scientists – none other than Albert Einstein! So, as you cut into that delicious piece of pie, make sure to toast Einstein and all he’s done for science!

3. Because Pi is an irrational number and its decimal representation goes into infinity without repeating, Pi enthusiasts around the world do their best to memorize the sequence. The current record stands at more than 70,000 digits memorized!

4. Along with its universal applications, Pi is used for more down-to-earth calculations. For instance, Pi influences architectural design, such as the structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its ratio appears in the pyramid’s base perimeter, which is close to 2π times its height, demonstrating Pi’s impact on ancient architecture.

5. Because most objects in space move in an elliptical manner, it is important to use Pi in calculations. However, how do astronomers calculate mathematical results with an irrational number? The good news is scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) only need to calculate Pi to the 15th decimal (3.141592653589793) for their work.

Pi Day Celebrations

Try Some Pi Day Goodness

Let’s savor the unique charm of Pi Day and our delightful journey into the world of Pi. And remember, as magical as mathematics is, some of us have a hard time calculating those irrational numbers. To help, make sure you check out School is Easy and its amazing math programs! By doing so, we can all embrace the intricate beauty of Pi

Focus On Kid’s Health: Kids Staring at a Screen While Studying in the Dark Can Be Harmful

Focus On Kid’s Health

In this era of technology, it’s becoming increasingly common for children to spend a significant amount of time on devices like computers, iPads, and phones. They even use technology for educational purposes, both in school and at home. While there are numerous educational websites and apps that can enhance your child’s learning, it’s crucial to remember that excessive screen time, particularly in the evening, can have adverse effects on your child’s health. As a parent, your involvement in managing your child’s screen time is key to ensuring their well-being.

Pay attention to your child’s screen time.

A common myth is that if a child spends too much time in front of a screen, their eyes will be damaged, and they will need glasses eventually. This is false! As explained in a video by DNews, computers and other screens cannot permanently damage the eyes. However, staring at a screen can cause eyestrain, headaches, and a few other minor symptoms. Encourage your children to take a break from studying on a screen every twenty minutes or so. One good thing to do is to try focusing on something far away (30 feet or more), as it will give your kid’s eyes a break. Plus, taking a study break can improve your child’s creativity, so it’s a win-win situation.

Kids staring at a screen can lead to trouble sleeping.

Many students have late-night tendencies and trouble waking up in the morning. But is this just because they can focus better on their studies at night and stay up late because of it? According to Harvard Health, although teenagers naturally feel more awake later at night, staring at a screen before bedtime will push off their sleepiness even later. This is because teenagers are susceptible to what is called blue light. The blue light in screens mimics sunlight and causes low melatonin levels. This is why many teenagers might not get a very good sleep or have trouble waking up in the morning. They are on their phones right up until they go to sleep!

How to avoid blue light.

Sometimes, studying at night is unavoidable. If your child needs to use the computer before bed, try having them use a sleeping app like F.lux. This app is meant to reduce the color of blue light on screens after the sun goes down, helping your child’s body know when to go to bed.

Taking breaks from staring at a screen, limiting blue light, and limiting screen time after dark will all help your child’s eye health. Plus, it will help them get a better sleep at night! So follow these tips to study still bright but keep track of health.

Great Tips for Motivating Kids To Complete Their Summer Reading List

Complete Their Summer Reading List
Many kids have a summer reading list to complete before returning to school in the fall, with different books assigned based on their grade level. This summer reading helps keep their brains active and engaged during the break. Here are some ideas to motivate kids to keep up with their reading assignments while actually enjoy books!

1. Get out of the House for Reading Time

Make reading time fun by turning it into an outing! There are plenty of places to read with your kids, and exploring new reading spots can be a great adventure. Bring a blanket to the park and read under the trees, or visit a public library for a quiet environment that helps kids concentrate. High school students might enjoy reading on a university campus to get a feel for college life. Once your kids finish their allotted reading, they can enjoy some free time on the outing. By turning reading time something pleasant, you help them associate reading with fun activities.

2. Use Incentives as Motivation

Some children may need incentives or rewards to motivate them to read. You can create guidelines that include small prizes for short-term goals and a bigger prize for completing the entire reading list. One idea is to match their reading time with an equal amount of TV time. For a final reward, consider a trip to a theme park or a special activity chosen together. This approach can make reading more engaging and rewarding.

3. Set a Good Example by Reading With Your Kids

Want to inspire your kids to love reading? Lead by example! Instead of just telling them to read, grab a book yourself and make it a family affair. Reading together sets a positive tone wile turning it into a fun family activity. Plus, there are tons of awesome adult reading lists out there, so you can enjoy your own book while they dive into theirs. It’s a win-win for everyone!

4. Encourage Thoughtful Reading by Using Reading Journals

Looking to make reading more enjoyable for your kids? Encourage them to dive deeper into their books! Whether it’s discussing the story together or jotting down their thoughts in a summer reading journal, engaging with the material can make all the difference. Why not have them create their own reading response journal? They can write in it after each reading session, helping them remember key details and stay excited about the story!

5. Don’t Stop Once Your Kids Are Finished With Their Summer Reading List

Finished with the summer reading list? Don’t stop there! Let your kids keep the reading momentum going by picking out their own books. Knowing they have the freedom to choose can also be a great incentive to finish the assigned books. Who knows what new adventures they’ll discover next?

Science Lesson: Teach Students About Autumn’s Nature Changes

Squirrel in fall - Autumn’s Nature Changes

Autumn is a great time to observe some of nature’s most fascinating rituals. Leaves fall, squirrels bury their nuts, and birds begin migrating. Plants and wildlife will be getting ready for winter. This is an excellent opportunity to teach students about autumn. There is much to learn about nature this time of year, so we’d recommend turning this into a science lesson for kids!

Observing Neighborhood Wildlife

The great thing about teaching students about wildlife during the fall is that there is so much they can see happening in their own neighborhoods. Assuming your students live in a residential area with some green space (grass, parks, backyards), it’s probably not too hard to find examples of plant and animal life adapting to the changing seasons. Today, we’ve compiled a list of plants and animals often found in neighborhoods as a quick guide to get you started.

Fungi – Cooler temperatures and more moisture mean that fungi (mushrooms) will start to grow. Fungi are fantastic organisms that come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny yeasts to giant mushrooms. Fungi play a crucial role in nature by breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients into the ecosystem. Plus, they can be found almost everywhere— in soil, on plants, and even in our favorite foods like bread and cheese!

An excellent place to start is by taking your students to a park because you won’t have to look too far to find fungi. To help you explore the wide world of mushrooms, the USDA created the “Field Guide to Common Macrofungi in Eastern Forests and Their Ecosystem Functions,” which breaks down everything you need to know about mushrooms.  However, while exploring, please be cautious around mushrooms, as some can be very harmful despite their intriguing appearance!

Squirrels – Not only are squirrels found all over the world in abundance, but they are perhaps one of the most fascinating animals to watch during this time of year. This is because they are incredibly active during fall, as they will be busy sprinting all over the landscape, stashing nuts and acorns in trees or in the ground. This activity is essential for their survival, as the food will be retrieved later in times of scarcity, such as during winter.

Although many mammals, including ground squirrels, avoid “stashing away” food through hibernation, one of the most commonly seen squirrels, the grey squirrel, doesn’t hibernate during the winter because it can’t retain high body fat. That’s why many of the squirrels you see this time store nuts before the winter — they need a steady food supply.

Annuals and Perennials – As Mother Nature slowly fades in time for winter, now is a perfect time to teach kids the difference between annual and perennial plants. Annuals die off within a year. On the other hand, perennials tend to live for years because they have specialized structures such as bulbs or thick bark that allow them to withstand the cold.

See if you can help kids point out the different types of annual and perennial plants! For example, trees are perennial, while many gorgeous (but not all) flowering plants, such as marigolds, are annual.

Take Your Children on a Field Trip!

For students who may not have direct access to the plant and wildlife in their neighborhoods, a field trip to a place like a local, national park or reserve can be a transformative experience. This wooded area offers a safe and enjoyable environment for children to immerse themselves in nature. The park provides a hands-on learning experience with guided tours and activities, allowing children to explore the plant and animal life we’ve discussed more tangibly.

Autumn is a beautiful time to engage students with nature’s captivating changes, from observing squirrels’ bustling preparations to exploring the diverse world of fungi and understanding the lifecycle of annual and perennial plants. This season offers a unique opportunity to turn these observations into enriching science lessons, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

To support your child’s learning journey and make the most of these educational moments, consider reaching out to School is Easy for more tips, resources, and personalized tutoring solutions tailored to inspiring young minds throughout the school year and beyond.

Help Prevent Bullying in Schools on Valentine’s Day

Help Prevent Bullying in Schools on Valentine’s Day

Schools on Valentine’s Day
Photo Credit: tonguetyed

Many parents and guardians might not realize, but bullying on Valentine’s Day is a serious issue affecting kids of all ages.

Valentine’s Day bullying is a bit different from bullying on other days. On Valentine’s Day, it’s very hard for students to avoid some form of bullying – like feeling left out, teased, or made fun of. These things can lead to feeling depressed and alone, which is exacerbated by the fact that other kids will be enjoying their fun on this colorful holiday. Although Valentine’s Day has an uptick of bullying, there are also ways we can stop this awful trend.

The source of bullying in schools on Valentine’s Day

For students who do not have a significant other or groups of friends to exchange valentines with, the day can be down right excruciating. And if you think schools make things easier for children, you may be mistaken. In fact, some schools support fundraisers that allow students to buy flowers or sweets for their classmates, making this issue even worse. The Valentines are then presented to the students during class, which makes it obvious to see who did not receive a Valentine. This leaves students who did not receive chocolates or flowers prime targets for bullying.

How can parents and teachers help prevent bullying in schools on Valentine’s Day?

In primary grades, it’s usually expected that everyone in the class gets a Valentine. This helps avoid anyone feeling left out and reduces bullying on Valentine’s Day. However, in secondary schools, students often switch classes throughout the day, so it’s not as easy to give everyone a Valentine. This can make some students feel left out or teased for not getting anything on Valentine’s Day at school. So, what can parents and teachers do to stop bullying in schools on Valentine’s Day?

1. Try to ensure that everyone receives something on Valentine’s Day

If parents are aware of students feeling left out or bullied on Valentine’s Day they can bake treats to pass out in every class their child is in. Teachers can also participate in providing Valentine’s Day treats to all of the students in all of their classes. If some parents and teachers help spread the word to other parents and teachers then hopefully every student will have an opportunity to receive at least one Valentine’s day treat so that they do not feel completely left out.

2. Remove school fundraisers that promote Valentine’s Day gift giving

If schools got rid of the fundraisers that single out certain students, this would help prevent bullying in schools on Valentine’s Day. As an alternative to selling gifts that will be delivered to the students during class students could still buy treats and give them to one another more privately. This at least would get rid of the open displays in classrooms that point out which students have significant others or a lot of friends.

3. Provide support for students who experience bullying

While we may wish to completely eradicate bullying from schools, the reality is that it may still occur on Valentine’s Day. The most effective approach to minimizing bullying is to educate students about its harmful effects. By raising awareness about bullying, students can recognize it and take a stand against it when they witness it or its aftermath. Encouraging students to support those who are bullied or appear to be feeling left out is crucial—they can speak up for them, offer a listening ear, and inform an adult about the situation. Providing ongoing support to individuals who have experienced bullying, both within and outside of school, can help prevent them from falling into depression. All the parties involved (including the bully) should receive the proper support in order to cut down on bullying. For additional tips on how to prevent bullying in schools visit this the stopbullying.gov website.