Lesson Plan

Odd Is In

Main Subject Area: Mathematics

Keywords:

• Logical Reasoning

Brief Description:

Students play a game with coins and then use reasoning skills to develop a strategy for winning the game.

National Standard(s):

• Reasoning and Proof

Additional Subject Area Standard(s):

Objectives:

Students will draw logical conclusions about mathematics; use models, known facts, properties, and relationships to explain their thinking; justify their answers and solution processes; use relationships to analyze mathematical situations; and believe that mathematics makes sense.

Materials (online):

Materials (offline):

A large collection of pennies, paper, and pencils.

Coins Used in Lesson:

Grade Level(s):   K-2     3-5  

Procedures (online):

Procedures (offline):

1. Collect 15 pennies for each duo of students.

2. Explain the rules for the game Odd Is In: a) The players set out all 15 pennies between them. b) The first player chooses to pick up either one, two, or three cents. c) Then second player does the same. d) The players keep taking turns picking up cents until they are have been chosen. e) Each player counts how many cents they have - whoever has the odd number, wins!

3. Divide the class into teams of two. Have each team play the game about 10 times.

4. Analyze the strategies students developed for winning the game. For younger kids, hold a class discussion. For older kids, ask each student to write about his or her strategies for winning.

Assessment / Evaluation:

Teacher observes and discusses the activity with students. For older students, teacher evaluates their written answers for their understanding of the activity.

Differentiated Learning Options: