Rachel

Exploring Compound Probability Through Discovery

Last Modified: July 12, 2019 by Rachel

What are the chances your students will forget what they learn about probability? It’s an uncomfortable truth that they often forget things that they’ve studied in class. But, they’re much more likely to forget if they don’t build schema and connections with this concept. So, I’m excited to share with you my favorite way to do just that. Discovery labs give you one way that help your students to build background and ultimately remember what they learn about compound probability (wanna read more how I got started with discovery labs? Read that story here.)

12 Easy and Engaging Compound Probability Activities

Last Modified: July 8, 2019 by Rachel

Compound probability is fun to teach because it lends itself to hands-on learning. I’ve found that students don’t even complain about the fact they they’re working with fractions when they’re doing compound probability. (shocking, right?!) I’m excited to share some of my favorite activities for practicing compound probability with you. These activities will build background for students, offer practice, and extend the concepts. I hope that you can find one or two ideas to implement in your classroom right away and engage your students in learning more about compound probability.

How to Teach Compound Probability and Make it Stick

Last Modified: July 5, 2019 by Rachel

Teaching probability gets kids interested because it so naturally involves dice, playing cards, and spinners. What 7th grade doesn’t love to spin things? Usually, they get in trouble for spinning things, so when we pull out the spinners and tell them to spin it, they look at us in disbelief. They wonder if it’s a trick. We reassure them that they won’t get in trouble, and quickly they are hands-on, having a great time experimenting with probability.

I love how incorporating these manipulatives has a way of getting and keeping students’ attention. In this post I’ll break down for you how I chunk out and teach compound probability. (If you’re looking for just ways to practice this skill, check out this post with 12 activity ideas.)

18 Math Review Games for Middle School

Last Modified: July 27, 2025 by Rachel

Reviewing is an essential part of learning. It’s how our brains remember and keep things from slipping away. Sometimes it can be very tempting to have students review by only answering test like questions and then going over them with the class. The downside of this is that it’s boring and not memorable. Also, it goes against best practices for teaching and learning.

So, I’d like to present an alternative way to review that is action packed, fun, and engaging. Of course I’m talking about games! There are so many ways to practice math concepts and skills using review games.

How to Teach Volume of Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres Like a RockStar

Last Modified: June 26, 2019 by Rachel

Do your students have a hard time remembering the formulas for the volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres? Well, if that describes you, then you have come to the right place my friend.

I’m going to share a sequence of learning that has helped my students memorize these formulas. Every year when I teach this topic just about every kid can remember the formula after going through this process. I know that I sound like an infomercial, but that’s genuinely how I feel about this topic in particular. If you follow these simple steps then you’ll have your students feeling success with the formulas for volume in no time.