Virginia Standards of Learning
5th Grade
Probability and Statistics
5.17a The student will solve problems involving the probability of a single event by using tree diagrams or by constructing a sample space representing all possible results
Lessons (1)
Students learn about probability by predicting the outcome of planned experiments and playing racing games.
Activities (4)
Create a game spinner with variable sized sectors to look at experimental and theoretical probabilities. Parameters: Sizes of sectors, number of sectors, number of trials.
Compare theoretical and experimental probabilities, using dice, cards, spinners, or coin tosses. Three different probabilities can be compared at once. Parameters: Type of probabilities, number of trials.
Run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees, learning about probability and chaos. Parameters: Probability that a tree will set fire to each of its eight neighbors.
Simulate a game where two players each roll a die, and the lucky player moves one step to the finish. Parameters: what rolls win and how many steps to the finish line.