I came across the idea of Grime Dice (named and pioneered by Dr. James Grime @jamesgrime) late last year after I knew I was to be teaching probability this winter. I knew right away this was a great task to get students tinkering with probability before defining its inter-workings theoretically. A great description of their function can be found on the PlusMath website written by Dr. Grime himself. They are available for purchase from MathGear.co.uk.
Basically, the dice have been altered to compete at different strengths against varying dice. A very interesting phenomenon all to itself. I wanted to find a way to capture the simplicity of a two-dice game, couple it with the quirkiness of non-transitivity, and wrap it all up in a task filled with student initiative. My result follows.
I began by purchasing five novelty dice from a dollar store. I re-worked the numbers on the sides to match Grime Dice A, C, and E. (see previously linked article). I didn't make dice for every group, but the task could be extended quite neatly into an experimental probability lab.
To begin the class, I introduced the class to the altered dice by showing them a graphic.
I then handed out a sheet with three dice charts on it.
Dice Chart between Grime Dice "A" and "C" |
"Which dice is the strongest dice? why?"
I circulated and probed further as groups finished the relatively easy task. Soon students began to see the circular nature of the dice. As a class, I explained how this could be exploited by choosing last in a game. We also talked about the probabilities themselves. Students had a natural grasp on odds and probability and offered great explanations for their value. We briefly touched on possible values for probabilities, and the idea of a complement.
Enter Phase Two.
I attempt to build in student authorship into tasks. Student thought flourishes when they are not only problem-solvers, but also problem-creators. The second portion of the lesson was designed to get students creating mathematics.
I posed the following problem while handing out a fresh set of three (blank) dice charts:
"Can you design three unique dice that all have equal chance of beating one another, but none are numbered the standard one through six?"
After a few minutes, obvious solutions began to emerge. (These are Grade 12s). When the ripple effect came full class, we held a discussion to highlight the logic, and I re-framed the question.
"Can you design the dice only using the numbers one through five?"
Students worked hard altering their dice; I could see the tenants of probability working as they switched numbers to alter the respective chances. The conversation of ties came up. Are they allowed? How do they effect probability? Can you end with an odd amount of ties? I didn't make a hard rule, but allowed the class to self-govern.
In the end, I got some extremely creative solutions. Underlying it all, students were introduced to the mysterious nature of probability. The task began to introduce some of the lexicon that would be used for the unit. Words like favourable, total, outcome, complement, probability, and odds were established. Students saw (and defined) the process of creating basic probabilities, and compared their values in fractional and decimal forms. The task accomplished everything I wanted it to.
A well-designed task takes the notion of "motivational set" and weaves it throughout the lesson and unit. It uses a broad scenario and student authorship to get students actively working with the topics. What initially seemed like a neat activity now serves as an effective anchor for an entire unit.
NatBanting
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