Teaching Probability and Risk with SKUNK



Teaching the Game of SKUNK:

Required Materials:

  • Prepared SKUNK cards or worksheets
  • 2 dice per team
  • Students separated into groups (3-4 is an ideal number to make the game interesting, but prevent student boredom when it isn’t their turn)
  • Students will need pencils.


1. The SKUNK worksheet or card can be prepared beforehand or created by students at their seats. Students should hold their paper horizontally and separate it into five columns, each one topped with letters: S,K,U,N,K. Each letter denotes a round of the game.

Example of SKUNK board:


2. Students determine who goes first, second, third, etc. and then take turns rolling the dice. Each student gets one turn during round S, one turn during round K, one round during round U, etc.

3. A student rolls the dice and records the number they get in the column that corresponds to the round. That student can then choose to complete his turn and pass on the dice to the next player OR he can choose to keep rolling and adding more points. A student’s turn continues indefinitely until he chooses to pass the dice on OR:

4. He or she rolls a single 1. When this happens he or she loses all their points for that round (S,K,U,N, or K) and must pass the dice on to the next player


5. He or she rolls 1s on both dice. In that case the player’s turn is ended and he or she loses ALL their points from ALL the rounds played so far.

Depending on the age or math level of the students, they may start by rolling as many times as they can. As the game progresses, they will realize that it’s in their best interest to “quit while they’re ahead” and they’ll focus on maximizing points while minimizing risk.

Teaching the Math Concepts: Probability

You can incorporate a lesson on chance and probability into the game. Teach students the rules and let them play one game. Then, as a class, discuss what they noticed about how the game worked. Was the winning person just lucky? What strategies did they use? Try to lead the class into making the observation that the probability of rolling a single one is about 1 in 6, and the probability of rolling two 1s is less.

Explain the concept of probability: the number of times a desired (or undesired) possibility can happen, over the total number of possibilities. Give flipping a coin as an example. There is 1 possibility of getting heads over 2 total possibilities. But what about flipping heads twice in a row? This is a 1 in 4 possibility. Allow students to come up with their own examples and bring in some real-life scenarios for them to calculate. You could examine the probability of winning the lottery, the probability of being struck by lightening, or the probability of Kevin Bacon being in a movie (just to name a few examples).

After you’ve discussed it, have students calculate the probability of rolling any given combination of numbers. For instance, rolling two 1s will be a 1 in 36 chance. Rolling a high number like two sixes, is equally unlikely. Give students a couple board problems or a worksheet that allows them to develop this skill. Add challenges to these activities if students or more advanced or find ways to break down the concepts and demonstrate the basics for students who are new to the topic.

Once probability has been introduced and students have been asked to calculate it, have them reform their groups and play the game of SKUNK once again. Ask them to notice if their tactics change, what seems to work for them, and what they’re keeping in mind as they play. Ideally, students will play with more caution when they keep the probability in their mind.

Common Core Standards:



ProbabilityThis game is included in a bigger bundle, you can learn more about the Focus on Probability Bundle here!!!

Looking for cool probability activities, probability games for kids and probability posters?​ Probability is an area of mathematics that often doesn’t get its fair share of attention in elementary & middle school classrooms.​
​ – 12 Probability Games and Activities
– 14 Probability Posters / Anchor Charts

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