Activity 1: Probability Game

Grade Level: 1st Grade

Standards:
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NCTM Content Standard: Data Analysis and Probability

Common Core Content Standard:

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.C.4
Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three
categories; ask and answer questions about the total
number of data points, how many in each category, and
how many more or less are in one category than in
another.

Common Core Practice Standards:

Reason abstractly and quantitatively

Model with mathematics

Overview: This probability game is a great introduction of the concept

of probability for young students in first grade. It incorporates many
important skills, including counting, comparing, and predicting. As a
result of this activity, students will have a better understanding of
probability that will help them in their later study of this concept.

Objectives:

Students will be able to count the total numbers of skittles in a

bag.

Students will be able to compare the different colors of skittles in

a bag and group based on color.

Students will be able form a basic fraction between the number

of skittles of a specific color out of the total number of skittles.

Assessment:
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Pre-assessment:
Verbally ask questions
knowledge of probability and chances.

Formative Assessment:

about

students

To check for understanding, we will monitor the students

progress with their worksheets.

We will make sure the students have filled in the number

of skittles in the bag before moving on to the second step
of the lesson plan.

We can periodically check for understanding by asking

students to give us a thumbs up if they understand and a
thumbs down if they do not understand.

Summative Assessment:

Our summative assessment will be students turning in

their worksheets along with our final class discussion
comparing our results.

Activity:
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Procedures:

Launch the lesson by asking students a probing question,

such as, What do you think the chances are of picking a
red skittle out of your bag?

Continue, by saying, Lets explore our chances

(probability) of picking the different colors of skittles.

Pass out worksheets and bags of skittles.

Ask students to count the total number of skittles and

record the number on the worksheet.

Ask students to separate the skittles into groups based on

color and record the number of each color on the
worksheet.

Aid students in forming fractions based on the previously

recorded data.

Summarize discussing results as a group.

Accommodations:

If a student is colorblind, we could make paper circles

representing skittles and write the name of the color on
the paper.

If students are struggling with fractions we could use a

fraction mat. By using a fraction mat we can help
students visually represent the fractions.

Equipment and materials:

Individual bags of skittles

Skittle Probability worksheet

Pencil

Fraction mat (if applicable)

Summarize discussing results as a group.

List of probing questions:

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What do you think the chances are of picking a red skittle out of
your bag?

Do you think there are an equal number of skittles of each color

in the bag?

What does the number on the bottom of each fraction

represent?

We can periodically check for understanding by asking students

to give us a thumbs up if they understand and a thumbs down if
they do not understand.

Extension Activities/Back up plan:

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One extension for this lesson plan is to combine the data of the
entire class into one table. This will provide broader results as
well as helps students compare with one another.

If students are unable to fill out the worksheet provided, they

can make their own table to represent their results.