Use the table below as prompts to generate a discussion about the concept of events being certain or not certain, along with anticipated responses from students.

Explain to students that Jasmine has 2 blue socks and 2 red socks in the laundry basket. Ask: 

Could Jasmine pick 2 socks of the same colour if she picked 2 socks from the basket without looking?

Ask:

• What are the different possibilities that Jasmine could pull out first?

• If she pulls out a red sock first, is it certain that she will pull out another red sock?

• Is it certain that she will always get a pair of socks the same colour?

• Is it certain that she will always get a pair of socks of different colours?

Students Think-Pair-Share the possible outcomes. Record the results on the board for all students to see.

Replace the socks, shuffle the container, and choose another student to pick 2 more socks without looking. Do this at least 6 times and keep a record of the colours that the students pick each time. 

Look at the class results and ask students if their predictions were correct.