Happy Pi Day, March 14! My first children’s novel, Searching for Pi, is now available on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1P2S9aw
Discover pi through a child’s eyes…
A search for pi is a search for ultimate truth.
Ten third grade students, who call themselves the Elementrees, are asked to search for pi, on their first two days of class, by their eccentric, new teacher, Ms. Applewood. She asks them to each bring in an example of pi the next day. She does not mention that this task is impossible.
As the students wholeheartedly search for pi, they discover its fundamental properties: that it is invisible, intangible, irrational, and infinite. The most shocking truths about pi, they discover much later. Searching for Pi teaches about pi in a fun, easy to understand way. It also gives learners a new way of studying math, through the narrative of a funny story.
Ms. Applewood teaches her students about pi because she wants them to become master creators of their own lives, discover their own unique talents, and not be unconsciusly led down false paths. She succeeds in accomplishing all this with the help of a math symbol known as pi and her trusty potato masher.
Searching for Pi is a must-read for teachers, math enthusiasts, students who need a new way of learning math, and anyone who enjoys a great middle grade fiction story.
New moon solar eclipse picture courtesy of Pixabay.com
Grandpa Joe motioned for Tommy Tomorrow to approach him and sit near his rocking chair by the fireplace.
Grandpa Joe had retired a few years ago. He used to run the small grocery store in the country town of Buzzley. Now, in his retirement years, he was finally able to devote his life to his truest passion, Astrology.
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Sandwich courtesy of ClassroomClipart.com, edited in Photoshop.
Dr. Evol Smell lives in the scary house on Brush Street, the one with the unkept lawn, tattered roof covered in blue tarp, and peppered with dead brown trees, what used to be evergreen trees, around the backyard. He enjoys foiling Amy Lockhart’s and the Elementrees’ plans whenever he can. He especially loves to—as much as he can—keep them from the truth.
One day, he stepped out of his meanie van to put a complaint letter to the newspaper in the mailbox outside his local bank. He left the engine running. When he turned to go back to his van, he saw in all caps on his back window the words “WASH ME!” dry finger-painted through the caked on dirt.
I turn around for a few seconds and this is what happens! he thought. What buffoon could have done this?
The worst part was Murky Waters was in the van the whole time.
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Robin courtesy of ClassroomClipart.com
Pete Moss’ family collected vegetable and fruit scraps in a small plastic bucket on top of their kitchen counter. They had been doing this ever since they heard about the importance of composting from the Steve Harvey Show. Sometimes our greatest teachers and lessons come from the most unlikely of places.
Yes, his family knew about composting for years, but it wasn’t until Steve Harvey said it was cool that his family took it to heart. Thank you, Steve.
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Valentine courtesy of ClassroomClipart.com
Cynthia Buttons had a crush on Tommy Tomorrow. It was mostly a secret. This Valentine’s Day she wanted to give him the biggest hint of all. She would give him an extra special Valentine’s Day card.
Her Mom bought a set of Valentine’s Day cards with delightful cartoons on them. Cynthia sifted through the cards and picked out one that said something extra special for Tommy. It asked “Will you be my Valentine?”
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