Every March 14, classrooms celebrate Pi Day with circles, puzzles, and plenty of mathematical curiosity. But Pi Day can also be an opportunity to think about something less obvious: the role reading plays in math success.

When students struggle with math, especially word problems, the challenge isn’t always the numbers. Often, it’s the language. A student who understands a basic math concept might still arrive at the wrong answer if they struggle with words like “difference,” “per,” “ratio,” or “product.” 

Understanding what a question is asking, identifying relevant information, and interpreting technical vocabulary all rely on literacy skills.

In other words – strengthening reading comprehension can directly support stronger outcomes in math and other STEM subjects.

Word problems ask students to do more than compute; they require interpretation. Students must decode the language of the problem, understand context, and determine which numbers and operations matter. Research consistently shows that literacy skills influence performance across subjects, including math and science. When students improve their ability to read complex informational texts, their capacity to interpret math questions improves as well.

For educators and librarians supporting digital reading through tools like Sora, Pi Day offers a great opportunity to consider and explore how ebooks and audiobooks can help students build the literacy skills they need to succeed in math.

Supporting technical vocabulary with ebooks

STEM subjects introduce a large amount of specialized vocabulary. Words like variable, coefficient, function, or exponent may appear simple on the surface but carry precise meanings within mathematical contexts (and often different meanings outside of math). Digital reading tools can help students encounter and practice this vocabulary in authentic ways.

With ebooks, educators can provide access to informational texts about math concepts, engineering challenges, or real-world applications of mathematics. Students encounter technical language embedded within stories, explanations, and examples, which can ultimately help them build familiarity and confidence.

Unlike traditional textbooks, digital collections can also be refreshed frequently to reflect current STEM topics and diverse authors, helping students see math and science reflected in the real world.

Using reading supports to improve STEM access

Digital reading platforms offer built-in tools that can help students navigate challenging informational texts, particularly in technical subjects.

Some of the most effective supports include:

• Annotation tools allow students to highlight key vocabulary or steps in a process, encouraging active reading. 
• Dictionary tools provide instant definitions when students encounter unfamiliar terminology.
• Audiobooks or read-along features can improve comprehension by allowing students to hear complex explanations while following along in the text.

Together, these features allow students to focus less on decoding the text and more on understanding the ideas behind it.

Spotlight: Narrative nonfiction and STEM biographies

One of the most engaging ways to build STEM literacy is through narrative nonfiction.

Books about scientists, mathematicians, and inventors help students see how mathematical thinking works in real life. They also introduce technical ideas within compelling stories, which can help make complex concepts more accessible.

Biographies of mathematicians or engineers show students that practitioners of STEM fields are curious, persistent, and – equally important – creative. These stories can spark interest while simultaneously exposing readers to the language of science and math.

For Pi Day, educators might highlight books that explore the history of π, the lives of mathematicians, or the surprising places where math appears in everyday life—from architecture and coding to sports analytics and space exploration.

A Pi Day opportunity

Pi Day reminds us that mathematics is more than simple numbers. It’s language and logic. It’s storytelling about how the world works.

When you help students read more widely in STEM topics, it builds the comprehension skills they need to interpret complex problems, understand technical vocabulary, and apply math in meaningful ways.

For March 14, build a Pi Day collection that strengthens both math and literacy skills, and helps students discover that strong readers often become stronger problem-solvers, too. 

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out STEM recommended reading lists, hand-curated by our school librarians.