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How to Teach 3rd Graders the Relationship Between Diameter & Circumference

Teaching third graders basic concepts about math and geometry is a great way to help them better understand their world. Use hands-on activities to allow them to obtain a physical grasp of the relationship between the diameter and circumference of a circle.

Things You'll Need

  • Blue yarn
  • Yellow yarn
  • Safety scissors
  • Bulletin board
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Cut the yellow yarn into various lengths, between one and four feet long.

    • 2

      Tie each length of yarn to itself, creating a circle.

    • 3

      Cut the blue yarn into two foot long lengths, one piece for each circle.

    Instructions with Students

    • 4

      Provide each student with a yellow circle, a blue length of yarn and a pair of safety scissors.

    • 5

      Instruct each student to lay out their yellow yarn into a circle at their work space.

    • 6

      Ask each student to lay their blue yarn across the circle.

    • 7

      Help each student cut their blue yarn where it crosses the edge of their yellow circle.

    • 8

      Show each student how to cut their yellow circle and lay it out next to their blue yarn.

    • 9

      Collect the students' lengths of yarn.

    Display

    • 10

      Hang the lengths of yellow yarn on the bulletin board, from shortest to longest.

    • 11

      Hang the lengths of blue yarn on the bulletin board, from shortest to longest.

    • 12

      Discuss with the students whether or not the yellow lengths - the circumferences of the circle - and the blue lengths - the diameters - seem to have any relationship. That is, as the yellow lengths get longer and the circles get bigger, do the blue lengths get longer too?

    • 13

      Explain that the relationship between the two, the circumference and the diameter, is a fraction: C/D = pi, and that this is true for every circle, no matter how big or small.

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