SKUNK

C&T 351 Probability Lesson

Name of Game: SKUNK
Grade Level: 6 or 7 grade
Content Area: Probability (NCTM)
Use proportionality and a basic understanding of probability to make and test
conjectures about the results of experiments and situations
CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.5 (Common Core)
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Understand that the probability of a chance event is a number between 0 and 1 that
expresses the likelihood of the event occurring. Larger numbers indicate greater
likelihood. A probability near 0 indicates an unlikely event, a probability around
indicates an event that is neither unlikely nor likely, and a probability near 1 indicates a
likely event.
Objectives:
Students will learn to make decisions by taking into account the chance of something
happening.
Students will be able to have a foundational understanding of the concept of probability.
References:
http://www.yummymath.com/2016/games-with-dice-3/
Introduction:Shelby Bucher
John Palmgren
SKUNK
C&T 351 Probability Lesson
Name of Game: SKUNK
Grade Level: 6 or 7 grade
th

th

Content Area: Probability (NCTM)

Use proportionality and a basic understanding of probability to make and test
conjectures about the results of experiments and situations
CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.5 (Common Core)
Understand that the probability

Ask the students some questions:

What are the chances that it will rain today?

How many days a week do you decide what to wear based on how you
think the weather might be?

Description of the Activity:

1. Have each player make a score sheet like the one pictured below.
2. The first player rolls both dice, adds the numbers together and records the result
in the S column
1. If the player doesnt roll any ones then it is the next players turn
2. If the player rolls one one then they lose their points and get a zero in
that column. It is then the next players turn.
3. If the player rolls two ones then they lose their points in that column as
well as all of the previous columns. For example, if they are rolling for N
and get double ones, they then also lose all of the points in the S, K,
and U columns. They can no longer roll for this round.
3. It is the next players turn. They will roll the dice, add the numbers together, and
record their result in the S column. The same conditions apply for all of the rolls
4. The players will continue taking turns and filling in their respective SKUNK columns.
They are allowed to opt out at anytime and add up their total for the round
For example, someone might get to N and they feel they have a high score, so
they choose not to roll for K because they dont want to risk losing their score.
5. This will continue for five rounds. At the end of five rounds, both players will add up
their scores and the person with the highest total score is the winner.
List of Materials:
All students will need a paper and pencil
Pairs of students will need 2 6-sided dice
Probing Questions:

What numbers do you think are you most/least probable to roll?

What is another way to say probable?

How probable do you think it is to roll ___?

Extensions:

Compare the amount of times a one was rolled with the total rolls as a class to create a
probability number for rolling a one

Other Important Information: