NCTM
Grades 3-5
Data Analysis and Probability
Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data
Lessons (3)
This lesson teaches students about theoretical and experimental probability through a series of work stations.
Students use probability to determine how likely it is for each tree in a small simulated forest to catch on fire.
Students learn about probability by predicting the outcome of planned experiments and playing racing games.
Activities (5)
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.
Simulation of a coin toss allowing the user to input the number of flips. Toss results can be viewed as a list of individual outcomes, ratios, or table.
Experiment with probability using a fixed size section spinner, a variable section spinner, two regular 6-sided dice or customized dice.
Run a simulation of how a fire will spread through a stand of trees, learning about probability and chaos. Parameters: Probability that a tree catches fire if its neighbor is on fire.
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.