Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Traffic Light Probability
Christy Clanton
Bay District Schools
Description
Traffic Light Probability engages the class in a probability experiment on the way to a local state park for a class field trip.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
MA.E.2.2.1
The student uses models, such as tree diagrams, to display possible outcomes and to predict events.
MA.E.2.2.2
The student predicts the likelihood of simple events occurring.
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Effective Communicators
02 Florida students communicate in English and other languages using information, concepts, prose, symbols, reports, audio and video recordings, speeches, graphic displays, and computer-based programs.
Numeric Problem Solvers
03 Florida students use numeric operations and concepts to describe, analyze, communicate, synthesize numeric data, and to identify and solve problems.
Materials
- Overhead, transparency, and marker for recording class brainstorm session
- Student copies of Traffic Light Probability Record Sheet (See Attached File)
- Student copies of Traffic Light Data Collection Sheet (See Attached File)
- Pencils and lapboards or clipboards for the field trip
- Student Probability Journals
- Whiteboard and marker for posting journal assignment and homework assignment
- Student copies of Traffic Light Probability Journal Entry Self-Assessment (See Attached File)
Preparations
1. Gather student copies of Traffic Light Probability Record Sheet and Traffic Light Data Collection Sheet (See Attached File).
2. Gather pencils and lapboards for the trip.
3. Post journal and homework assignment on the whiteboard.
Procedures
1. Several days prior to a field trip, the teacher leads a class discussion of the traffic lights that the class may encounter on the trip. Students brainstorm a class list of all possible traffic signals that will be encountered.
2. Teacher distributes copies of Traffic Light Probability Record Sheet to students (see Attached File). Students work cooperatively to complete their individual record sheets.
3. Team leaders share their team results.
4. On the day of the trip, the teacher distributes copies of Traffic Light Data Collection Sheet to the class (see Attached File). Students collect and record data on their way to the park. Teacher collects data sheets for later collaboration.
5. The day after the trip, the teacher distributes the completed Traffic Light Data Collection and Traffic Light Probability Record Sheets to students for discussion. The teacher asks the students to then write a paragraph in their Probability Journals comparing their predictions to their actual data; additionally, students are asked to respond in their journals to: "What is the probability of these results occurring again?" for their homework assignment.
6. Students use the Traffic Light Probability Journal Entry Self-Assessment to evaluate their work (see Attached File).
Assessments
Students self-assess using Traffic Light Probability Journal Entry Self-Assessment (see Attached File).
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