News & Views
Grade 6 Math Classes Hold Probability Fair – Home Edition
Sixth grade math students participated this week in an At Home Edition of the annual Probability Fair.
Leading up to the fair, students first watched an instructional video created by Grade 6 Teacher Brayden Henry that demonstrated the difference between chance and skill and reviewed how to determine the probability of an outcome mathematically. They then designed their own game of chance using just one or multiple layers (i.e.: spin a spinner and then roll a die) or some variation of compound events. They were also encouraged to remember that anyone who attempts it must have an equally likely outcome; it must involve chance, not skill. For example, spinning a spinner with even portions involves chance, while seeing how many basketball shots you can make from the 3-point line in 30 seconds involves skill.
Finally, students were encouraged to be resourceful, nothing could be purchased for this activity; all of the materials for their games of chance had to be found at home.
Once games were created, students uploaded videos of themselves demonstrating their game onto the app, FlipGrid, where their classmates could watch. Each student viewed the other students' projects and commented on two of them.
“This exercise gives students the opportunity to think deeply about a range of probability concepts – independent and dependent variables, compound events, theoretical probability and experimental probability – and encourages them to apply these concepts by creating a novel game with simple materials found in or around their house,” said Grade 6 Teacher Mauricia Gardiner. “In exploring their peers' projects, students are exposed to a range of real world probability examples and ideas. Probability isn't just a math unit in 6th grade, it can be found everywhere and understanding it can help you better understand and predict outcomes.”
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
