The Winning Edge: Lesson 0

The Winning Edge: Probability in Basketball

Lesson 0: Introduction to Freethrow percentage (In progress)

Introduction: What is a freethrow percentage? How is it calculated? What does it mean? This lesson seeks to answer those questions through the use of an on-line interactive lesson that lets students "shoot" freethrows and observe how freethrow percentage changes, and then practice calculating some percentages on their own.

Prior Knowledge: Calculating percentages from given ratios; concept of average; rules of basketball.

Grade Levels: 5th and 6th grades (this lesson); 5th through 12th grades for the entire series.

Objective: Students will calculate percentages based upon simulated performances of a statistically significant number of discrete events.

Resources: Student worksheet 0 (not available yet), javascript-enabled browser, pencil, calculator, if desired.

Process: Start Here: Click Starting Page (not available yet)
    First -- Students will use an on-line simulation to observe a player "shooting " freethrows and how freethrow percentage changes with misses or successes.
    Second -- Students will use a similar simulation to "walk through" the process of calculating freethrows from raw data.
    Third -- Lastly, students will practice calculating freethrow percentages for a number of fictional players.

Learning Advice:
Due to the random function of the computer simulation, results for any given set of trials for any given player will vary -- just like in real life. Checking the accuracy of the results thus requires matching the data from the simulation (freethrows made versus freethrows attempted) with the resulting percentage.
If only one "station" computer is available, it is suggested that students be grouped in teams of 5, each member would then choose a different player and would do the "shooting", recording and calculating of freethrow percentages for his/her selected player, the group would then combine results. The lesson can be completed (worksheet 2) either as a group or individually.

Evaluation: Completeness of the freethrow data; accuracy of the derived percentage;

Extensions: Other lessons in the series

Conclusion:

California Academic Content Standards:
    5th Grade: Mathematical reasoning:
    Sixth Grade: Statistics, Data Analysis and Probability 2.5 -- Identify claims based upon statistical data and, in simple cases, evaluate the validity of the claims; 3.2 -- use data to estimate the probability for future events (e.g., batting averages or number of accidents per mile driven)