Lesson Plan

Coins in a Pocket

Main Subject Area: Mathematics

Duration of Lesson:  45 minutes

Keywords:

• Cent
• Coins
• Dime
• Money
• Nickel
• Penny
• Probability
• Problem Solving
• Quarter
• Statistics

Brief Description:

Students will look at different samples of coin combinations in a pocket. They will then learn how to determine the probability that a particular coin will be pulled at random from the pocket.

National Standard(s):

• Number and Operations
• Data Analysis and Probability

Additional Subject Area Standard(s):

Objectives:

Students will systematically collect, organize and describe data.

Students will construct, read and interpret displays of data.

Students will solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Students will explore concepts of chance.

Materials (online):

Sample Worksheet: http://lspace.learningspace.org/usmint/coinsinapocket.html

Materials (offline):

Pencils

Copies of the sample worksheet listed under Materials (online)

Coins Used in Lesson:

Currently circulating U.S. pennies (cents), nickels, dimes, and quarters

Grade Level(s):   3-5  

Procedures (online):

Print a copy of the sample worksheet listed under Materials (online) or create a worksheet of your own design using this sample as a guide.

Procedures (offline):

1. Introduce this lesson by telling the students you have some coins in your pocket. Ask the students “If I pull out one coin, how many of you think I will select a penny? A nickel? A dime? A quarter?”

2.Next ask them how could they make a better guess of which type of coin you would pull out of your pocket. They should note that if they know what coins you have in your pocket, then it is sometimes easier to guess which type you would select. For instance, if you only had pennies in your pocket, then you would definitely pull out a penny, and definitely not pull out a quarter.

3.Next, illustrate to the class how you can use this example of coins in a pocket to show probability. For instance, if you have a pocket with 1 nickel and 4 pennies, then the chance or probability that you would select a penny is 4 out of 5. The probability you would select a nickel is just 1 out of 5.

4.Supply your students with a worksheet like the sample listed under Materials(online). For each pocket of coins, have them answer the questions:

- What is the probability of reaching into the pocket and pulling out a nickel?

- What is the probability of reaching into the pocket and pulling out a dime?

- What is the chance that you can reach into this pocket and get a penny?

- What is the chance that you can reach into this pocket and get a quarter?

Assessment / Evaluation:

Conduct a pocket coin quiz with the class. On the overhead or the board, draw a pocket with different coins inside. Have the students record the drawing and below the drawing answer the questions about the chances for getting the different types of coins.

Differentiated Learning Options:

Adjust the amount of coins in the pockets to increase or decrease the complexity of the problems.