Lesson Plan

Title: It’s in the Bag

Grades: Grade 3
Subject/Course: Math
Strand: Data Management and Probability
Time: 60 minutes
Lesson Description
Students will work in pairs to conduct a probability experiment using a bag and 10 coloured tiles inside. Students will
record their findings on an activity sheet followed by recording their results on a class graph. In their group, they will
predict how many tiles of each color were in the bag. Class discussion will follow and involve students verifying whether
their predictions were correct.
Stage 1: Desired Results
Fundamental Concepts/Skills
• Data analysis
• Connecting
• Reasoning and proving
Big Ideas/Essential Question
Big Ideas:
• Relating probability to everyday contexts
• Develop reasoning skills
Essential Question:
• In 10 trials, what is the probability of a certain outcome occurring?
Ontario Curricular Overall Expectation(s)
• Predict and investigate the frequency of a specific outcome in a simple probability experiment

Ontario Curricular Specific Expectation(s)

• Predict the frequency of an outcome in a simple probability experiment or game, then perform the experiment,
and compare the results with the predictions, using mathematical language
• Demonstrate, through investigation, an understanding of fairness in a game and relate this to the occurrence of
equally likely outcomes
Lesson Goals
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• Grasp an understanding of what probability is
Key concepts and/or skills to be learned/applied Background Knowledge
• Further understand the concepts of probability • Prior knowledge of making predictions in probability
• Students have an understanding of what an
educated guess is
Stage 2: Planning learning experience and instruction
Student Groupings Instructional Strategies
• Pairs • Whole class
• Whole class
Materials Considerations
• Paper bags • Ensure there is a proper amount of tiles
• Coloured tiles • Prepare It’s in the bag activity sheet prior to lesson
• It’s in the bag activity sheet à tally chart • Ensure student pairings are done properly (can work
• Class graph (board or chart paper can be used) well together)
Accommodations
• Enrichment: Have students explain why probability chances range from 0 to 1 and in between.
• Enrichment: Have students use three different colors of tiles instead of two. Increase each time experiment is
completed.
• Provide an example of completed experiment.

• Allow students to work in larger groups

• Allow students to work individually
• Provide alternative workspace
• Provide extra time to complete experiment
Stage 3: Learning experience and instruction
Motivational Hook (5 MINS)
Begin the lesson by asking students “what is probability?” Have students brainstorm ideas and small class discussion.
Students will find a partner to work on the experiment.
Open (15 MINS)
Explain to students the rules of the experiment:
1. Each pair of students will receive a paper bag with 10 color tiles inside (7 blue and 3 red)
2. Explain that they will be required to predict how many of each color tiles are inside the bag after they have
recorded the results of the experiment
3. Without looking, students will take turns pulling out tiles from the bag (one at a time) and record their results on
the activity sheet.
4. Students will return each tile back inside the bag after they’ve chosen one
5. One group member will record their results on the class graph
6. Students will look at the class data and make an educated guess about the number of blue and red tiles they
think are in the bag
Body (30 MINS)
Students will take this time to work on their experiments, while the educator observes and takes notes.
Close (10 MINS)
After students have taken the time to review the class graph and make an educated guess, a class discussion will take
place focussing around these questions:
What made you decide how many of each color tiles there are in the bag? (How and why?)
Who agrees or predicts something different? Why?
What makes your prediction reasonable?
What was helpful in making your predictions?

Once class discussion of above questions is finished, students will be allowed to look inside the bag and verify how
many of each color are in fact, in the bag. Class discussion about their predictions and why it may have differed will
follow.
Link to Future Lessons
• Future probability related lessons
• Link to next lesson: River Game
• Cross-curricular opportunities with Language Arts (writing) and Science
Assessment
• Observation
• Anecdotal notes

Example of tally chart: