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Maths - Year Six probability observation

Last post 12/02/12 at 15:32 by florapost, 16 replies
Post started by KevinWinter on 02/02/12 at 22:28

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  • KevinWinter avatar
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    Posted by: KevinWinter 02/02/2012 at 22:28
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    I've got a mock ofsted inspection from SLT approaching, and will be doing probaility in maths. Any suggestions for (practical pref) actvities or ways to wow the observers mucho appreciated - been getting solid satisfactories of late, and would like to return to getting good (or outstanding!)
  • rustybug avatar
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    Posted by: rustybug 03/02/2012 at 06:56
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    You could get them to make spinners (cereal boxes seem to be the best card, ime), either the sort that is a regular polygon with a toothpick through the middle (easiest) or the round sort with a pointer and a split pin (will need a trip to Ryman!) (and fiddly to make because they will probably need your individual attention to make sure the pointers spin smoothly).

    They can predict how many times it should be green (or whatever), and then spin it lots of times to see how many times it is green.  While they are doing that you will be able to circulate and be observed asking good questions.

    Or the horse race game is always fun.

    Really it's not about the activity, it's about how you deliver it and whether you tick enough boxes (VAK, feedback/AfL, high expectations, demonstrable learning in every child, good use of time, real-world connections, keep on top of behaviour, differentiation, a good review / plenary; is a good shopping list...)

    Good luck!
  • brookes avatar
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    Posted by: brookes 03/02/2012 at 07:05
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     The key is to ensure that all of the kids make really good progress in their learning. So, we can't suggest practical, engaging, rich activities until we know what your intended learning outcomes are (or whatever language you use in your school).

    I generally do this in 3 stages. First, I decide what the objective is and describe what it'd look like. Then I picture the most able in the class and decide if they need something more in order to make real progress that lesson. Then I think of the lowest end and picture what real progress would look like for them. Sometimes I don't need anything extra, but sometimes I do.

    Once you know what you want the kids to achieve you can figure out you're going to get them there.

  • s1x avatar
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    Posted by: s1x 03/02/2012 at 17:42
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    rustybug:

    You could get them to make spinners (cereal boxes seem to be the best card, ime), either the sort that is a regular polygon with a toothpick through the middle (easiest) or the round sort with a pointer and a split pin (will need a trip to Ryman!) (and fiddly to make because they will probably need your individual attention to make sure the pointers spin smoothly).

    They can predict how many times it should be green (or whatever), and then spin it lots of times to see how many times it is green.  While they are doing that you will be able to circulate and be observed asking good questions.

    Or the horse race game is always fun.

    Really it's not about the activity, it's about how you deliver it and whether you tick enough boxes (VAK, feedback/AfL, high expectations, demonstrable learning in every child, good use of time, real-world connections, keep on top of behaviour, differentiation, a good review / plenary; is a good shopping list...)

    Good luck!

    This is everything that is wrong with the current education system right here. IMO teach them normally and see if your employer believes you can teach.
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    Posted by: rustybug 06/02/2012 at 17:57
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    Those are very normal lessons.  The activities are perfectly normal (have done both many times without being observed!!) and so is the list of things to include. 

    Not sure what about my post (trying to give a starting point to the OP) is "everything that is wrong with the current education system"!!
  • pittskeFL avatar
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    Posted by: pittskeFL 06/02/2012 at 19:05
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    Hi

    What's the 'horse race game'?

     
  • rustybug avatar
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    Posted by: rustybug 06/02/2012 at 19:50
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    Two dice.  Add the scores.  Each time you get a total of 2, horse number 2 takes one step forward, etc.  Chn choose their winning horse first (offer number 1 as well - some will take it!).

    Usually 5, 6, 7, or 8 will win because they have the highest probability of coming up.
  • robyn147 avatar
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    Posted by: robyn147 06/02/2012 at 22:27
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     I remember hearing somewhere (More or less on Radio 4) that if you are playing Monopoly, you should stick property on every 7th space because as people often go back to the start, you have more chance of people landing on your property. 

     I haven't played Monopoly for years - do you have 2 dice?
  • florapost avatar
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    Posted by: florapost 06/02/2012 at 22:52
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     yep - throw a double to get out of jail
  • hammie avatar
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    Posted by: hammie 07/02/2012 at 23:15
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    statistically buy the orange set, they offer the best value for money and are waiting for jail breakers to roll 6 or 8! you can swear when the roll 7!

    back them up with the 4 railways and you are quids in!
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