And the Winner Is...

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Mathematics

Grade(s)

7

Overview

In this activity, the students will visit the website, Probability Fair, to reinforce a lesson on finding simple probability or chance. The students will demonstrate their knowledge of finding probability to acquire the most tickets in the class.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource GAP Project.

Phase

After/Explain/Elaborate
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7

MA19.7.14

Define and develop a probability model, including models that may or may not be uniform, where uniform models assign equal probability to all outcomes and non-uniform models involve events that are not equally likely.

UP:MA19.7.14

Vocabulary

  • Probability model
  • Uniform model
  • non-uniform model
  • observed frequencies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the probability of any single event can be expressed using terminology like impossible, unlikely, likely, or certain or as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive, with numbers closer to 1 indicating greater likelihood.
  • A probability model is a visual display of the sample space and each corresponding probability
  • probability models can be used to find the probability of events.
  • A uniform probability model has equally likely probabilities.
  • Sample space and related probabilities should be used to determine an appropriate probability model for a random circumstance.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • make predictions before conducting probability experiments, run trials of the experiment, and refine their conjectures as they run additional trials.
  • Collect data on the chance process that produces an event.
  • Use a developed probability model to find probabilities of events.
  • Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies
  • Develop a probability model (which may not be uniform) by observing frequencies in data generated from a chance process.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • long-run frequencies tend to approximate theoretical probability.
  • predictions are reasonable estimates and not exact measures.
Mathematics (2019) Grade(s): 7 - Grade 7 Accelerated

MA19.7A.30

Define and develop a probability model, including models that may or may not be uniform, where uniform models assign equal probability to all outcomes and non-uniform models involve events that are not equally likely.

UP:MA19.7A.30

Vocabulary

  • Probability model
  • Uniform model
  • non-uniform model
  • observed frequencies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the probability of any single event can be expressed using terminology like impossible, unlikely, likely, or certain or as a number between 0 and 1, inclusive, with numbers closer to 1 indicating greater likelihood.
  • A probability model is a visual display of the sample space and each corresponding probability.
  • probability models can be used to find the probability of events.
  • A uniform probability model has equally likely probabilities.
  • Sample space and related probabilities should be used to determine an appropriate probability model for a random circumstance.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • make predictions before conducting probability experiments, run trials of the experiment, and refine their conjectures as they run additional trials.
  • Collect data on the chance process that produces an event.
  • Use a developed probability model to find probabilities of events.
  • Compare probabilities from a model to observed frequencies
  • Develop a probability model (which may not be uniform) by observing frequencies in data generated from a chance process.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • long-run frequencies tend to approximate theoretical probability.
  • predictions are reasonable estimates and not exact measures.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn the practical application of the concept of probability by playing carnival games. 

Activity Details

This activity will be implemented as an after strategy for a lesson on probability. The students will visit the website, Probability Fair. The game begins with earning tickets to enter the fair, five. The student can play the wheel and earn as many tickets as they want. Once the student enters the fair, the only way to earn tickets is to win the games. However, the games do have a price to pay. Once the student's tickets are too low to play the game is over and he/she must start over. At the end of class, the teacher will record each student's ticket count. 

Assessment Strategies

The student will demonstrate the knowledge of probability to collect as many tickets as he/she can during the game.

Variation Tips

The teacher can use hands-on manipulatives if a student is having difficulty with understanding the digital version. A spinner, dice, cards, and coins can be used instead of the website.

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to visit the website, Probability Fair, and play the games. The students will need internet and device to manipulate the game. The teacher will need to present a lesson on probability prior to implementing this activity.

If the teacher doesn't have access to technology, then the activity can be modified by using a spinner, dice, cards, and coins.

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