Who Plays What?

Problem

Jason, Emma and Rangi are talking about their favourite sports that are soccer, swimming and hockey.

Jason says, "It’s impossible for me to ever be off-side."
Emma says, "It’s certain that I will use a stick to hit the ball."
Rangi says, "It’s possible that I might become an All White."

Teaching sequence

1. Give the students in pairs 3 cards with the words possible, impossible and certain on them. Ask questions of the class and get the students to hold up the word that describes the event (for example)
   Tomorrow it will snow.
   You will have potatoes for tea.
   You will become a Silver Fern or an All Black or an All White.
2. Read the problem with the class. 
3. Give the students time to think about the problem before getting them to work with others. As they work ask questions that get them to communicate their reasoning:
   How do you know that Jason is a swimmer?
   What does impossible mean? Certain? Possible?
4. Share solutions.
   Match the pictures of the sports with the name cards.

Extension

Jane joins the group – her clue is that in her sport it is certain that she will catch a ball. What sports could she play?

Solution

Since both hockey and soccer have off-side rules, then Jason must be the swimmer. All hockey players use a stick, so Emma is the hockey player. The All Whites are the New Zealand national soccer team. So it might be possible for a Rangi All White. Rangi must be the soccer player.

Solution to the extension

Many sports fit the clue (netball, basketball...)