It’s Probably Penny written and illustrated by Loreen Leedy is a great book on predictions and probability.
Lisa is assigned homework on probability. She has to think of an event that will definitely happen, that might happen and that cannot happen over the weekend. She also has to think of two events; one that has a tiny chance of happening and one that is impossible and explain why they can or cannot happen. She has to write about an event that has three or more equally possible outcomes and an event that as several possible outcomes that are not equally likely.
This book is a great introduction to probability. It can be used for Science Standard of Learning 3.1 (a) (c) and (j). It illustrates a student who plans and conducts investigations, makes predictions, observations and conclusions. The book also touches Mathematics Standard of Learning 3.18. The student describes the concept of probability as chance and lists possible results of a given situation.
Additional Resources
- The Probability Circus and Balloon Bonanza are colorful interactive websites for students to practice probabilities.
- Ken White’s Coin Flipping Page tracks the probability associated with a student flipping a coin.
- Figure This! Math Challenges for Families has a game for students to play and to decide if the game is fair or not.
Book: It’s Probably Penny
Author/Illustrator: Loreen Leedy
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 30 pages
Grade Range: 2nd-4th
ISBN: 0-8050-7389-2