Lesson plan: a. Illustrate the permutation of objects. b.

List the possible

ways a certain task or activity can be done c. Appreciate permutations
as vital part of one’s life.
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Learning objective
Students will illustrate permutations of up to five distinct objects and list all possible arrangements.
They will appreciate the role of permutations in real-life scenarios by identifying examples in daily
activities.

Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson, I'll be able to show how to arrange five
different items in every possible order and see how this skill is useful in everyday life.

Standards:

• Illustrate the permutation of objects.

• List the possible ways a certain task or activity can be done.
• Appreciate permutations as a vital part of one’s life.

Learning activities
Warm-up
Notice and wonder: Display a simple arrangement of three distinct objects, such as colored
blocks (red, blue, green). Ask students, "What do you notice? What do you wonder?" Give them a
few minutes to think and discuss with a partner. Encourage them to consider different orders and
arrangements. Solicit responses, focusing on observations about the number of ways the blocks
can be arranged. Record their ideas to highlight the concept of permutations. This primes students
for exploring permutations in more depth during the lesson.

Direct instruction
1. Introduce Permutations: Begin with a real-world context, such as arranging books on a
shelf. Explain that permutations involve arranging objects in a specific order. Use the
example of three books: A, B, and C. Ask students how many different ways these books
can be arranged. Guide them to understand that the number of permutations is calculated
by multiplying the number of choices for each position: 3 ×2 ×1=6. Provide a placeholder
for solution steps.
2. Explore Permutations with Objects: Present a problem involving four distinct objects,
such as colored balls (red, blue, green, yellow). Ask students to determine the number of
permutations. Use the formula for permutations of n distinct objects: n !. For four objects,
calculate 4 !=24. Describe a simple diagram or list to visualize all possible arrangements.
Provide a placeholder for solution steps.
3. Connect to Real-Life Scenarios: Discuss how permutations apply to real-life situations,
such as seating arrangements at a dinner table or creating passwords. Pose a problem: "If
you have five different letters, how many unique 5-letter passwords can you create?" Guide
students to use the permutation formula 5 ! to find the answer. Provide a placeholder for
 solution steps. Encourage students to share other examples where permutations are
relevant in daily life.

Guided practice
Think, Pair, Share Activity:

4. Think: Present students with a scenario involving five distinct objects, such as five different
colored markers. Ask them to individually calculate the number of permutations using the
formula 5 !. Allow 5 minutes for this task.
5. Pair: Have students pair up to compare their calculations and discuss any discrepancies.
Encourage them to explain their reasoning and correct any errors collaboratively. Allow 5
minutes for discussion.
6. Share: Invite pairs to share their findings with the class. Ask them to explain the process
they used to arrive at their answer. Record correct solutions on the board.
7. Connect: Facilitate a class discussion on how permutations are used in real-life situations,
such as organizing a schedule or planning a seating chart. Encourage students to provide
examples.
8. Clarify: Address any remaining questions or misconceptions. Reinforce the importance of
understanding permutations and their applications in various contexts.

Independent practice
• Assign students a task to arrange five distinct objects, such as colored cards, in every
possible order. Instruct them to list all permutations.
• Provide a worksheet with a real-life scenario, like arranging five different books on a shelf.
Ask students to calculate the number of permutations and list them.
• Encourage students to identify a daily activity where permutations are relevant, such as
planning a weekly meal schedule. Have them describe the permutations involved.
• Circulate to observe and support students as they work through these exercises.

Exit ticket
Ask students to answer these questions on their way out:

9. How many ways can you arrange four different books on a shelf?
10. Give an example of a real-life situation where permutations are important.
11. What's one question you still have from today's lesson?

Here are some suggested answers:

12. Suggested answer to Question 1: 4 !=24 ways.

13. Suggested answer to Question 2: Creating a unique password using different characters.

Teacher resources
Differentiation guide
• Advanced learners: Challenge them with larger sets of objects, such as calculating
permutations for six or more items. Introduce the concept of permutations with repetition,
 using examples like arranging letters in the word "BALLOON." Encourage exploration of
permutations in complex real-life scenarios, such as scheduling tournaments or optimizing
routes.
• Striving learners: Simplify tasks by starting with smaller sets of objects, such as two or
three items. Use visual aids like diagrams or physical objects to illustrate permutations.
Provide step-by-step guidance and additional practice problems. Pair them with peers for
collaborative learning and support.

Notable definitions
• Permutation: An arrangement of objects in a specific order. The number of permutations of
n distinct objects is given by n !, which is the product of all positive integers up to n .
• Factorial: The product of all positive integers up to a given number n, denoted as n !. For
example, 5 !=5× 4 × 3 ×2 ×1=120 .
• Distinct Objects: Items that are different from each other in some way, making each one
unique in a set. In permutations, the order of these objects matters.

Required materials
• Colored blocks or balls (red, blue, green, yellow)
• Five distinct colored markers
• Colored cards
• Worksheet with real-life scenarios
• Whiteboard and markers for recording solutions

Lesson summary
• Warm-up (5 min)
• Direct instruction (15 min)
• Guided practice (20 min)
• Independent practice (10 min)
• Exit ticket (5 min)