Statistics and Probability Lesson Plans

Seventh graders conduct an investigation that mixes concepts of geometry and statistics. They use a coin to simulate the birth of a child with the combinations of five children and relate it to Pascal's triangle. Students discuss the theoretical probability of an event and the experimental probability.

First graders play a game.  In this probability lesson, 1st graders play a game of Ring the Stick where they practice working with probability.  Students collect data and analyze their results using a line plot.

An engaging game called, "Quarter, Nickel, and Dime" is presented in this math lesson. Players are given an envelope with slips of paper that represent the three coins. In pairs, they play the game 18 times, and the whole class charts their results on a class graph that leads to an exciting discussion on probability. Excellent worksheets are embedded in the plan that provide everything you need to play the game.

Students reason mathematically as they solve problems dealing with probability of an even occurring. In this probability activity, students differentiate between different rankings of candidates running for leadership. They identify vocabulary words such as pluralism, borda, condorcet and runoff.

Learners practice skills involving statistics and probability by making predictions on number of each color candy in one pound bag of M&Ms. They record both guesses and actual quantities, calculate percentages, and create bar graphs to represent their data. Students then determine weight and diameter of single candy, and calculate probability of assigned situations.

Students explore and design ways to collect data through simulations and random samples. They perform two experiments to determine the answers to various probability problems, and present the data/graphs in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.

Students estimate and then count the number of each color of M&M's in their bag. In this mathematics lesson, students find the experimental probability of selecting each color from the bag. Students create pictographs and bar graphs of the colors of candy pieces in their bag. Students use information from the Mars, Inc. website to compute theoretical probability of each color appearing in the bags.

Fourth graders analyze statistics of Native Americans by creating graphs.  In this data analysis instructional activity, 4th graders define different statistical terms and practice finding those statistics from groups of numerical information about Aboriginal populations.  Students create circle and line graphs to analyze the data properly.

Sixth graders explore Delicious.com for probability questions before forming 5 of their own. In this probability lesson plan, 6th graders work in small groups to sign in and create an account at Delicious.com. They investigate the web site to find questions about probability, and write and answer 5 of their own questions which are added to a class quiz.

Students become familiarized with the formulas for the mean, ¿, the variance, and the standard deviation. Students also study to understand the connection between variance and standard deviation. Students study problems that variance may present and research the use of probabilities to determine when results are considered "unusual".