~ At the end of this lesson, students will be able to define probability
~ Students will be able to compare three different outcomes of probability
~ Students will be able to predict and make conclusions about probability
Rationale:
~ Students need to understand the likelihood of different outcomes and being able to predict who will win!
Examples:
- Being able to estimeate how much candy is in each bag and being able to see if it is a good price or not
- Being able to understand that there are different strategies in finding out how to win that bear at the Carnival
- Being able to tell if something is fair or not.
Core Curriculum:
~ 2.S.2 Collect and record data related to the question
~ 2.S.4 Compare and interpret data in terms of describing quantity
~ 2.S.5 Discuss conclusions and make predictions froms graphs.
Materials:
- 5 coins (can be anything) - 1 bag of fun size skittles (Can use M&M's as well) - 1 spinner
- Graph Paper - Paper with tables for students to record data on - Pencils/Pens
- 3 different direction sheets for the different activities
Manipulatives:
- Coins - Spinners - Bag of Candy
Whole Class Procedure:
1. Teacher breaks class up evenly into 3 groups of 5 (groups can be randomly put together or use Popsicle sticks to break up the groups)
2. Once in groups, there will be three different activities that students must complete. Teacher explain directions to the students of what each activity is. Students will have 10 minutes at each station to collect the data needed
3. After collecting data from each sation, student's will come back together as a whole
4. Teacher will make a graph of all the student's results that they collected at the sations
5. Students then will compare their predictions and the results of the classes' data (How they are different, or the same? What made you come up with that number? Etc.)
6. Teacher will then open up the skittles bag to see which group came closest to the right amount. Teacher will then ask students what their predictions were, were they close or far away from the class results.
7. Teacher will then lead a class discussion about what they learned about probability (Talk about the different results that each group collected. What was the most frequent number or answer? Why do you think that number or other nuimber came up so much? What are the odds of getting certian numbers? Etc)
Directions For the Stations:
Coin Toss:
Read through these directions carefully. Each student take one coin. Predict how many times you are going to flip a head and how many times you are going to flip a tails. (Talk to group members and see what they feel they are going to get as well.) Flip the coin 5 times and record your results on the sheet given to you. After recording your data and sharing the results add up how many head and tails you got. Talk with group memebrs about your predictions, were they different or the same as your results why or why not?
Spinner:
Read through the directions carefully. One person will be spinning the spinner, and the rest record the data. First predict how many times the spinner will land on the 6 different numbers. (Talk to group members and see what they feel are going to be the most spun number) Then spin the spinner 5 times and record the results yo get. After you have spun the spinner, and collected your results put the numbers in the spont on the data sheet. Talk to group members about how your predictions were different or the same as your results
Candy:
Read through the directions carefully. Take the bag of skittles and talk with group about how many pieces of candy are in the bag. Once everyone in the group has felt the bag, come up with a prediction as a group of how many skittles you think are in the bag. (record your predictions on your data sheet) Then predict on many of each color skittles there is in the bag (red, purple, orange, green and yellow) There should only be one answer per group and to share with the rest of teh class
Assessment:
~ Teacher will be walking around while students are doing each of the activities
- Being available for any question students might have
- Looking at the data they are collecting
- Asking them questions to promote thinking
~ Teacher will also at the end of lesson lead class in a discussion about what they learned during this activity about probability.
- Talk about predictions (what students feel is a prediction?)
- Talk to students about the results that they gathered, and how they relate or are different from waht they predicted.
