LEARN NC

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

Which pocket?

http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?ID=L604

A lesson plan for Grades 6–8 Mathematics

Provider: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

About this resource

Appropriate grades
6–8
Subjects
mathematics (algebra, probability, statistics)
Provider
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

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In this lesson, students continue their investigation by discovering a rule to predict the pocket in which the ball will land. As an extension, students can also consider the number of squares that a ball crosses while traversing its path. Illuminations provides helpful activity sheets and directions for completing the lesson.

Students will:

  • Identify patterns that occur in the Paper Pool game.
  • Predict the pocket in which the ball will land, given the dimensions of a table.

NCTM Standards and Expectations:

  • Model and solve contextualized problems using various representations, such as graphs, tables, and equations.
  • Represent, analyze, and generalize a variety of patterns with tables, graphs, words, and, when possible, symbolic rules.
  • Select, create, and use appropriate graphical representations of data, including histograms, box plots, and scatterplots.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 6

  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and determine probabilities.
    • Objective 4.03: Conduct experiments involving simple and compound events.
    • Objective 4.06: Design and conduct experiments or surveys to solve problems; report and analyze results
  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of simple algebraic expressions.
    • Objective 5.03: Solve simple (one- and two-step) equations or inequalities.
    • Objective 5.04: Use graphs, tables, and symbols to model and solve problems involving rates of change and ratios.

Grade 7

  • 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 box plots and histograms) to solve problems.
    • Objective 4.05: Solve problems involving two or more sets of data using appropriate statistical measures.
  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will demonstrate an understanding of linear relations and fundamental algebraic concepts.
    • Objective 5.03: Use and evaluate algebraic expressions, linear equations or inequalities to solve problems.
    • Objective 5.04: Develop fluency in the use of formulas to solve problems.

Grade 8

  • 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 scatterplots) to solve problems.
  • Goal 5: Algebra - The learner will understand and use linear relations and functions.
    • Objective 5.01: Develop an understanding of function.
      • Translate among verbal, tabular, graphic, and algebraic representations of functions.
      • Identify relations and functions as linear or nonlinear.
      • Find, identify, and interpret the slope (rate of change) and intercepts of a linear relation.
      • Interpret and compare properties of linear functions from tables, graphs, or equations.
    • Objective 5.03: Solve problems using linear equations and inequalities; justify symbolically and graphically.