Lessons
Below are lessons on a variety of math/sports topics. Download this content for free and use whatever part of it fits with your lesson plans. While the lesson plans are ready to be taught as stand alone, complete classes, you can use examples, exercises or any part that can be interesting to your students. All I ask in return is that you let me know that you're using it and give me positive or constructive feedback so I can improve the lessons.
​
I will be updating this page periodically with brand new lesson plans on a growing variety of math topics. I'm taking requests, so please let me know (content@simplesportsanalytics.com) which would be of greatest interest.
​
Conversion from fractions to percentages
Who is more clutch? Curry or Lebron?
Conversion from fractions to percentages
The goal of this lesson plan is to practice the conversion of fractions to percentages while answering an interesting sports question: Who is more clutch? Stephen Curry or Lebron James?
These players are two of the greatest players to ever play, but it's our nature to try to compare and find a definitive answer to which player was better. The idea is to teach the students that math can help them decide this important question - which player was more clutch, who steps up in big situations to help the team win.
​
In this lesson, students will:
​
-
Practice conversion from fractions to percentages
-
Learn how to set up a real-world question logically and quantitatively to be able to solve it mathematically
-
Discuss the value of “clutch” and how to measure “clutchness”
-
Use conversion of fractions to percentages to decide who is more clutch: Stephen Curry or Lebron James
Is it better to be a righty or lefty?
Decimal comparison and number line
The goal of this lesson is to leverage decimal comparisons and visualization on the number line to determine whether left-handed batters have a hitting advantage over right-handed batters.
Baseball strategy is influenced by data in every part of the game. We constantly hear about "matchups" and "lefty/righty" but what is the math behind some of those statements? ​Students will see how simple decimal comparison can help solve these questions.
​
In this lesson, students will:
​
-
Compare fractions.
-
Place different fractions on a number line.
-
Discuss whether it's better to be a left-handed batter and how it affects team strategy.
-
Compare different fractions to determine if a left-handed batter gains an advantage from simply hitting left-handed.
Should there be a designated hitter in all of baseball?
Subtraction of Decimals
The goal of this lesson is to practice decimal subtraction while answering the fun and relevant question above. Students will first use historical data to determine if having a designated hitter (DH) makes games more interesting (more runs) and then use those data-driven insights to debate whether the whole league should use the designated hitter (currently only half the league does).
​
In this lesson students will:
​
-
Practice the subtraction of decimals.
-
Use critical thinking to make a hypothesis about whether adding the DH to the whole league is a good idea.
-
Learn about how players of different sizes can be very successful and how specialized jobs can be very valuable.
​
Note: this lesson includes some additional decimal subtraction exercises focussed on the thrilling topic of HOT DOGs in baseball. Students especially LOVE these. ​
​
