- Sample Lessons
- Lesson One
Date: Week 3/Tuesday
Period/Class Title: Advanced Statistics and Probability
Name: Annie Mehalchick
# of students: 30
OBJECTIVE:
Students will learn to evaluate probability distribution of non-random variables, based on knowledge of computing subsets and permutations.
MATERIALS:
Notes, Journals, pencils and paper
NOTES:
Remember to move around the classroom as students work on activity. Encourage students to ask questions and be involved in the discovery process. Pay attention to students who might be struggling with understanding permutations.
STEPS:
ANITICIPATORY SET (5 minutes): Ask students to think about the NBA Championships. How many games are usually played? What is the most likely number of games expected to be played?
1. Hand out the NBA FINALS HISTORY: Finals Champions and MVPs from the website http://www.nba.com/history/awards_finalschampsmvp.html (to be accessed through the Hip Hop Circuit Website: http://online.sfsu.edu/~jcooks/hiphopcircuit/frontup.html). Ask the students to discuss the data and determine if their hypothesis was correct. (10 minutes)
2. Ask the students if we are dealing with a random variable. Why or why not? It is hoped that students realize that the outcome always depends on the previous outcome. Introduce the terms, non-random variable, and hypergeometric variable. Make sure students take notes with accurate definitions. (15 minutes)
3. Students then get into groups of five. They are asked to work on a problem, but each student needs to record calculations and data. Assuming their favorite teams from each conference are in the playoffs, derive
the probability function for X (the number of games played in the series) for two cases:
Case 1: The probability the Western Conference wins any given game is 0.5.
Case 2: The probability the Western Conference wins any given game is 0.6.
4. Students work on this for the rest of the class period. (30 minutes)
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY:
For homework, students are required to finish what has not been done in class as well as draw a probability tree for the first case and compare results. For the daily journal entry students are asked to reflect on what they learned in class, and to discuss what a non-random variable is. They are also asked to compare the probability distribution they have calculated with the data from http://www.nba.com/history/awards_finalschampsmvp.html. Does it correlate?
ASSESSMENT:
Assessment will take place during discussion and class work, as I move around the room in order to help those who need it. Contributions will be rewarded as well as questions about the material. Homework will be collected the next day and needs to be complete or students must come to me with questions beforehand. Journals are reviewed once a week and contribute to the student's grade, depending on the level of engagement the student has or is trying to make with the material.
LITERACY ASPECT:
Students will read statistical data, calculate in mathematical language, and discuss their discoveries in statistical terms. Learned new vocabulary. They will write in their journals.
REFLECTION/RESPONSE:
I am concerned with those students who need to review
the terms and calculation process of permutations. It
may occur that we run out of time, but I need to make
sure that the project will continue as a homework
assignment and needs to be completed.
Notes for following lesson: Make sure to review the
new vocabulary and ask random students to discuss the
meanings.