My Little Sister Ate One Hare by Bill Grossman

Mathematical Strand:

Probability

Topic:

The students will understand, use, and compute basic probability.

Grade level:

4th - 6th grade

Lesson Created by:

Joy Heinrichs Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, Manhattan, KS

Lesson Description

Materials

• The book My Little Sister Ate One Hare By Grossman, pre-made papers with a situation listed on it- one for each pair of students-there should be one sheet for each of the 10 animals (and peas), pencil (markers and crayons optional), bag and manipulatives of the animals listed in the book optional.
  

1. Launching the Lesson

1. Do any of you have a little sister? The little sister in this book is pretty amazing. Let’s find out why.
   
2. Read the book.
   

2. Exploring the Lesson

1. If all the animals and the pea were in a big sack and she were to pull out one, what is the probability she would pull out a snake? How many animals are in the bag? How many snakes are there?
2. I’m going to give you each a situation in which the little sister pulls out one or more items. Then it will ask the probability in a fraction and percent that a certain animal or item is the one that will be pulled out.
   
3. Give out the sheets for individuals or pairs to share.
   
4. Make sure all the pairs understand their particular scenarios.
   

3. Summarize/Discuss/Elaborate

1. Have each pair share with the class the probability of the little sister pulling out their designated animal. Compile the papers into a book later.
   
2. As a class, pose the question, what is the possibility that she would pull out a hare and a mouse if she picked 2 items out of the bag?
3. Ask, what is the possibility that she would pick a polliwog or a worm? Try to reason and figure it out as a class.
   What is the probability that I would pull our an item that you WOULD eat?