Monday, December 26, 2011

Problem Sets and Probability

Winter break is halfway over - where, oh where, did it go?? :) Last week, I spent time cleaning house, reading novels, and in general, just enjoying the off time. However, all good things must eventually come to an end, so this week, I vowed to work at least one hour per day on school stuff. (wishful thinking?)

Probability is one of my weakest areas as a stats teacher. Prior to going on break, we had covered basic probability, disjoint events, independent events, venn diagrams, tables, trees, etc. Next week, when we go back, we'll do simulations and probability distributions. In the past, I've not been pleased with how this unit turned out, so I'm hoping to do it better this year. A few weeks ago I ran across this problem set from the 2007 PCMI and today I've been working through it. So far, I have some ideas I think will work, especially for simulations. I really like the Game of the Day activities and plan to use several of them to spark conversation in my class.

1 comment:

GotToLuvStats said...

I have to agree with you. This is my second year teaching AP Stats and I find myself revamping my lessons. It surely is a learning process. I still am finding it hard to incorporate many activities into my instruction, although I definitely have done more this year than last. Many I have met through conferences have told me that it takes time and that the more comfortable you become with the curriculum the less lectures and the more activities you will do.