Normal Distribution Question Stack Activity

This normal distribution question stack activity was my introduction to a new practice structure for math class – question stacks. Since then, I have gone on to create question stacks for a large number of math topics.

Several months ago, my statistics students were struggling A LOT with normal distribution.  Our textbook just didn’t have enough practice problems.  And, they clearly needed more practice before moving on to the next section!

A quick google search led me to my friend’s blog.  In retrospect, I should have just gone there first.  When it comes to teaching stats, @druinok is the best!

I quickly downloaded her Normal Distribution Cards and printed then on colored paper.  The cards are printed so one side has a question, and the other side has the answer to a different card.

Students begin by laying out all the cards with the answers facing up.  They pick any card to start with that they want to.  As a group, they used their calculators, dry erase boards, and normal distribution tables to solve the problem.  If the answer isn’t on one of the other cards, they know they have done something wrong!

Once they find the card with the correct answer, they turn it over.  This is their new question to solve.  Once again, they have an answer bank to choose from upon finishing.

At first, my students were super frustrated.  These questions are hard!  Why does there have to be so many questions?  We’re never going to finish!

But, with each question that they finished successfully, their confidence grew!  By the end of the fifty minute class period, they were laughing and enjoying themselves.  They all commented on how the class period had flown by.  And, these types of questions weren’t that hard after all.