Introduction

Probability offers one of those rare intersections where classroom mathematics crosses middle school experience. The problem scenarios investigated at this level often start with a game—as did theoretical probability itself. Students find that many of the phenomena they encounter in game playing have predictable outcomes. To reach that conclusion, they need opportunities to consider data they generate, noting patterns that emerge and comparing their results with those predicted by theory.

The activities, lesson plans, and project ideas selected for this publication offer such opportunities, not only in the context of games, since other situations can be analyzed in the light of probability. Even though several resources include, or even rely on, an online simulation, they can usually be adapted well to classrooms without computer access. The selected resources include background information for your own review of the concepts. The final section considers the place of probability in the NCTM Standards.

We hope these resources offer worthwhile opportunities for your class to consider, "What's the chance that . . . ?"

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by Terese Herrera

Terry Herrera taught math several years at middle and high school levels, then earned a Ph.D. in mathematics education. She is currently a resource specialist for the Middle School Portal. Please email any comments to: msp@msteacher.org

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Copyright September 2006 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.