National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Game of SKUNK
Do I stand or do I sit? The class plays a dice game where they must decide to either continue to stand and play or sit down and keep their points. After the game, groups discuss individuals' strategies and see connections to the...
Inside Mathematics
Marble Game
Pupils determine the theoretical probability of winning a game of marbles. Individuals compare the theoretical probability to experimental probability for the same game. They continue on to compare two different probability games.
Math Stars
Math Stars: a Problem-Solving Newsletter Grade 7
Put on your thinking caps because middle school math has never been more interesting in this huge resource full of thought provoking questions. Written as a newsletter, the resource has 10 two-page newsletters with a variety of...
EngageNY
Calculating Probabilities of Compound Events
Use tree diagrams with multiple branches to calculate the probabilities of compound events. Pupils use tree diagrams to find the sample space for probability problems and use them to determine the probability of compound events in the...
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Introduction to Conditional Probability
Here is a turnkey lesson that walks young statisticians through the development and uses of conditional probability. From dice games to surveys, Venn diagrams to frequency tables, the class learns how a given can effect the overall...
Statistics Education Web
Odd or Even? The Addition and Complement Principles of Probability
Odd or even—fifty-fifty chance? Pupils first conduct an experiment rolling a pair of dice to generate data in a probability lesson plan. It goes on to introduce mutually exclusive and non-mutually exclusive events, and how to use the...
Curated OER
Probability
Here is a very clever way of teaching young mathematicians the concept of probability. A spinner is made that has two outcomes, yes and no. A chart is made that has two columns that are labeled Correct and Incorrect. The teacher asks a...
EngageNY
Estimating Probabilities by Collecting Data
Take a spin to determine experimental probability. Small groups spin a spinner and keep track of the sums of the spins and calculate the resulting probabilities. Pupils use simulated frequencies to practice finding other probabilities to...
Noyce Foundation
Fair Game?
The game should be fair at all costs. The mini-assessment revolves around the ability to use probabilities to determine whether a game is fair. Individuals determine compound events to calculate simple probabilities and make long-run...
Curated OER
Rescue Mission Game
Students conduct probability experiments. For this rescue mission lesson, sudents play a game and collect statistical data. They organize and interpret the data and determine the probability of success. Students plot points on a...
Curated OER
Conditional Probability and Probability of Simultaneous Events
Your statisticians examine the characteristics of conditional probability and the probability of simultaneous independent events. They perform computer activities to find probabilities for simple compound events. They examine the...
Mathematics Assessment Project
Card Game
Middle schoolers use 10 cards to determine whether the probability that the next card chosen is higher or lower than the previous.
Curated OER
Even/Odds Game
Using a game format, learners review what they know about theoretical probability. As they roll tetrahedron dice, they record their results as odd or even. Afterwards, they discuss their findings.
Illustrative Mathematics
Return to Fred's Fun Factory (with 50 Cents)
The penny arcade gets the statistics treatment in this fun probability investigation. A non-standard game of chance is described and then the class is set loose to find missing probabilities, determine common outcomes, and evaluate...
EngageNY
The Difference Between Theoretical Probabilities and Estimated Probabilities
Flip a coin to determine whether the probability of heads is one-half. Pupils use simulated data to find the experimental probability of flipping a coin. Participants compare the long run relative frequency with the known theoretical...
Shodor Education Foundation
From Probability to Combinatorics and Number Theory
What middle schooler does not enjoy an occasional online game? In this lesson play, you will find embedded links to an online probability game, and informative pages about how division is used in probability, the concept of tree models,...
Statistics Education Web
The Egg Roulette Game
Hard boiled or raw? Which egg will you get? A hands-on activity has scholars explore the impact of conditional probability. Based on a skit from the Tonight Show, pupils model the selection of the two types of eggs using beads. They...
Curated OER
Mathematics of Fair Games
Learners examine mathematicians' notion of fairness in games of chance. They work in pairs to perform three different experiments using macaroni and paper bags. They record their results on charts and compare their data.
Curated OER
Chances Are
Upper graders examine the concept of probability. They collect data and create a bar graph. They must interpret the data as well. Everyone engages in hands-on games and activities which lead them to predict possible outcomes for a...
Noyce Foundation
Counters
For some, probability is a losing proposition. The assessment item requires an understanding of fraction operations, probability, and fair games. Pupils determine the fractional portions of an event. They continue to determine whether...
EngageNY
Games of Chance and Expected Value 1
There's a strong chance that class members enjoy learning math through engaging games. Scholars analyze games of chance to determine long-term behavior. They learn to calculate expected value to help with this assessment.
EngageNY
Fair Games
What constitutes a fair game? Scholars learn about fair games and analyze some to see if they are fair. They extend this idea to warranties and other contexts.
EngageNY
Analyzing Decisions and Strategies Using Probability 1
Learn how to increase the probability of success. The 19th installment of a 21-part module teaches future mathematicians how to use probability to analyze decisions. They determine strategies to maximize the chances of a desired outcome.
EngageNY
Chance Experiments
Class members are introduced to probability using terms such as impossible, unlikely, likely, and certain. Numbers between zero and one are associated with the descriptions of probability. Pupils find the likelihood of chance experiments...