I begin class by showing the video above. I don't need to say a whole lot, I just hit play and let it speak for itself!
In the video, the students see a wide variety of probability concepts - in addition to the drama, family discussions, and gut wrenching suspense.
For a complete description on how I roll out the class period, please select this video narrative link: Video Narrative: Game-On!
For the PowerPoint that corresponds to the day's lesson, click here.
As we wrap up the period and bring closure to the game, I send the students on their way with a small journal activity in which they reflect on the Deal or No Deal game. In this journal, the students will have very little trouble writing about their growth as a math student! The prompt also asks for them to tie in the concept of theoretical vs experimental probabilities: perhaps the class “got burned” and although the odds were in their favor, things did not work out so nicely. Expect to read some really great responses!