LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The creamery

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L521

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Subjects
mathematics (applied mathematics, probability, statistics)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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Students estimate and determine the number of ice cream sundae combinations that can be made with two topping possibilities and a number of ice cream flavors. They write number sentences for the number of combinations that can be made from a given number of possibilities. Using dice, students work in pairs to determine the product of two numbers. Then, students practice application by estimating how many ice cream/topping combinations they can make. This lesson uses helpful graphic organizers and drawing activities. Illuminations provides directions and activity sheets for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Predict the number of two-variable combinations that can be made.
  • Determine the number of combinations that can be made.
  • Generalize the number of possible combinations that can be made.
  • Write an equation to determine the combinations possible.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs.
  • Design investigations to address a question and consider how data-collection methods affect the nature of the data set.
  • Collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including circle graphs and tables) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.02: Determine the number of permutations and combinations of up to three items.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve probability problems using permutations and combinations.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs, probability, and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including line graphs and bar graphs) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.03: Solve problems by comparing two sets of related data.
    • Objective 4.04: Design experiments and list all possible outcomes and probabilities for an event.

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use graphs and data analysis.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, analyze, and display data (including stem-and-leaf plots) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.02: Compare and contrast different representations of the same data; discuss the effectiveness of each representation.