How To Draw Jiji From St Math

JiJi Day is an opportunity to celebrate and foster a positive school culture around mathematics, perseverance, and growth mindset.

JiJi is the penguin featured in ST Math! JiJi guides students through challenging mathematical puzzles and thinking, developing their relationship with both JiJi and mathematics.

JiJi Day is always the last Friday in April, and we welcome you to celebrate JiJi Day with your students on Friday, April 30, 2021. There are a few ideas listed below, but please feel free to get creative!

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Play ST Math

Did you know? As students work their way towards covering the majority of grade-level math content in ST Math, on average they increase their math achievement.

We love to see students spending a bit of extra time on ST Math during JiJi Day!

Here are some ideas to make JiJi Day extra special:

Consider running a half-hour JiJi Day marathon. Students can track their puzzles by recording what number of puzzles they start at and where they end. How many puzzles can your whole class complete in 30 minutes?
Assign the entire class a challenge objective. These puzzles require thinking outside of the box and are great to work on together in pairs or teams.
Allow flexible seating during ST Math time, such as under desks, on pillows, or even outside.

Play JiJi Bingo

Looking for another activity to celebrate both JiJi and mathematics? Check out our JiJi Bingo game!

Recommended for: Kingergarten+
Number of Players: 2+
Time: 15-30 minutes

Roll to create mathematical expressions and find the answer on your JiJi Bingo card. The wild JiJi icon will allow players to choose which operation they'd like to use. Make mathematical decisions to try to get 4-in-a-row on your card!

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If you're in-classroom, we put together some DIY instructions and printables. You'll need just a few dice, tokens (such as plastic chips), and some printer paper.

If you're remote, students and families can follow the JiJi Bingo video instructions (also available in Spanish) to draw out the materials themselves and play at home or via video call.

JiJi Bingo is part of MIND Research Institute's MathMINDs activities, which includes games, stories and maker activities to increase community engagement and connection with mathematics.

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Bonus: Download and Print the New Penguin Poster!

One of the most common questions we get about JiJi is finally answered:

What species of penguin is JiJi?

We now know that JiJi is a one-of-a-kind math penguin, also known as Jijis mathmaticus!

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This just-for-fun poster is available for you to download and print and we recommend printing on 11 x 17 inch paper, though it's also available for 8.5 x 11 inch paper. We hope it's the coolest poster in your classroom or home!

Share Your JiJi Celebration

JiJi loves to see what students are up to on JiJi Day. Share your JiJi Day celebrations and tag JiJi:

Twitter @STMath
Instagram @STMath
Facebook Group

Keep an eye on the Instagram page - I heard that @nisdblattman and @nisdbeard are planning an Instagram takeover on @STMath for JiJi Day!

Looking for more JiJi Day activity ideas? Check out the printables on ST Math Help for previous years' activities including coloring pages.

Have a happy JiJi Day!