This article attempts to substantiate the need to study the elements of probability theory in school, to explain what a probabilistic style of thinking entails and to argue the impact of historicism in teaching the elements of probability. It presents a brief history of the development of the theory of probability. Also here are presented the famous problems of the Chevalier de Méré, the solution of which gave rise to the theory of probability. These problems are accompanied by de Méré's reasoning and, then, the correct solution. This is followed by a small analysis of the national curriculum and textbooks on the subject. Finally, it points out some of the benefits that can bring dis-cussions between teacher and students about the elements of the history of mathematics.