What are the odds?
Probability, how likely something it so happen, enables us to make reason-based decisions about many aspects of our lives. From predicting heads-or-tails when flipping a coin or using poll results to determine a proposed law’s likelihood to be passed to looking at a weather forecast to see what clothing to lay out for the morning, we are relying on the probability that something will or will not happen. But predictions are not infallible.
In this activity, student pairs or trios learn about several common types of probability and then demonstrate what they have learned by creating a quick start guide (a flyer, pamphlet, video, or other format) that others can use to recognize four types of probability commonly encountered in the real world.
The Assessing Numbers Instructional Activities are continually reviewed. If you use this activity, please complete a Feedback Form afterward.
Standards: CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3, Grades 6 – 8
Objective: Students work in teams to earn about different kinds of probability and then demonstrate what they have learned by creating a video, quick start guide, or other product that others can use to recognize four types of probability.
Teacher Resources
Activity materials may be accessed in any order by clicking on the appropriate link. You may find it useful to start with the Activities Directions link to get a sense of the activity itself before looking at other sections.
Student Resources
This site is meant to be used by teachers. Student Resources are provided, but please do not direct students here. Copy and paste the link to the handout and whichever of the Online Resources you want students to use on your classroom webpage, in your classroom area of the school’s Learning Management System, or wherever you distribute digital materials to students.
Susan Brooks-Young: sjbrooksyoung@gmail.com