Erin Taylor

K-8 Math

Lesson Plan # 2

Probability

Title: “How likely would that be?”

Content Areas: Probability

Grade Level:2-4

Materials Needed:

_                    Book: John Patrick Norman McHennessy - the boy who was always late, written by John Burningham

_                    Chart paper or chalkboard (3 columns reading “never,” “sometimes,” and “always”)

_                    Paper

_                    Pencil

_                    Envelopes

_                    About 15 different scenarios written on large post-its (scenarios are obvious examples of events that would occur never, sometimes, or always)

Key Concepts: Never, sometimes, always

EALR’S: 1.4 understand and apply concepts and procedures from probability and statistics

                - understand the difference between certain and uncertain events

Grade Level Expectations:

Grade 4: (1.4.1) Understand when events are certain or impossible, and more likely, less likely,                    or equally likely

                - Identify the likelihood of events and use the vocabulary of probability (e.g.,                                     weather, if homework will be assigned, simple games). [CE, MC]

                - Place events in order of likelihood of occurance (e.g., use a number line marked from                    0-1). [SP, RL, MC]

GOALS (Remember the difference between goals and objectives):Students will be able to understand the meanings of probability vocabulary and apply the new concepts to their own lives, to make better judgements and choices about life’s events.

Objectives: Given a lesson on probability discussing likelihood, students will be able to cooperatively work in small groups and correctly place given scenarios on the probability chart, as well as verbally support why they matched the scenarios to the particular number line spots.

PROCEDURES (Label each step in the process: Activating Prior Knowledge, Disequilibrium, Elaboration, Crystallization):

Introduction / Preassessment

·                      Disequilibrium: Give students a false news announcement w/ illustration reading “Expected Tomorrow: Giant Turtles Will Take Control of Olympia!” (Maybe it could be a tabloid.)

            ·            Have a conversation w/ students about the announcement

            ·            Activating Prior Knowledge: Discuss elements of the media that they believe and those they don’t believe

Activity

·                       Read book

 ·          Discuss the likelihood of the events really happening from the book

·                      Write the words “never,” “sometimes,” and “always” on the board and discuss their definitions

·                      Verbally give students scenarios and discuss which category they belong in

·                       Elaboration: Students form small groups of about 3, provide them with an envelop with scenarios and have them talk about which category the scenarios belong to (never, sometimes, always)

·                      A designated group member sticks the scenarios on the board under the appropriate respective categories; group member may be teacher selected w/ popsicle sticks

·                      Crystallization: Come back to whole group, discuss the scenarios stuck on the board and move them around if necessary (post-its allow for flexibility)

Closure

·                      Take questions/comments

Post-Assessment:

·                      Homework: students are to make 3 categories on a piece of paper, and create one statement for each