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Introducing Probability.
Pupils have an innate sense of probability. Play "fair" and "unfair" games and
this will become apparent. For example, put 20 red counters in a bag and 5 blue
counters. One pupil is red, the other blue and the winning colour drawn out of
a bag gets a Smartie. With such lofty prizes the pupil who is blue soon voices
their dissent!
This innate sense has to be verbalised in some way and the first worksheet
Probability shows the ineffectiveness of the English language. If the teacher
enlarges this sheet it can be used with a probability washing line. String the
washing line from one side of the class to the other. Discuss with the class
what either end of the line should stand for and then attach "impossible" and
"certain". Peg the other words along the line where the pupils feel they should
go, it can result in some intense discussions. Although at level 4 we don't get
into assigning numbers, it is always interesting to see where pupils assign
real events on the line, such as winning £10 on the lottery, Manchester United
winning the league etc.. They are always optimistic and it is fun to show them
where the real probabilities (even if it is only bookies odds) lie on the
probability line.
The Probability Event Cards are used to define Certain, Impossible and
Possible. Each card belongs in one of the categories. Pupils can cut them out
and put them into the appropriate categories. If you have a number board pupils
can play a game with them. Shuffle the pack and place them face down. In turn a
player picks the top card, if "Impossible" they move 0 places, if "Possible"
they move 1 place and if "Certain" they move 3 places. After each turn the card
goes to the bottom of the pack. The first to complete their way around the
number board wins. (As there are 24 cards you may wish to take one out! Why ?).
To make a pleasant wall display ask pupils to make up their own event cards and
colour them.
Ian Fisher
This article is about 10ticks worksheets Level 4 Pack 6 Page 27 and Level 4
Pack 6 Page 29.
Maths in Schools. May 2001. Vol 30 No 3.
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