Teaching Spreadsheets with Simplicity
Below you will find four lesson plans below I designed and used in my inner city classroom. All four lesson plans engaged the students are were successful because the students learned about Microsoft Excel (my district's preferred spreadsheet programs) and were extremely confident completing the lessons. These lessons can be adapted for other spreadsheet programs because they are skill based and not software package specific.
Lucky O'Spreadsheet
Summary: Students will become familiar with spreadsheets by coloring two Saint Patrick's Day themed spreadsheets to help eliminate any fears that spreadsheets are difficult or scary. Lesson: Students are given two spreadsheets with the outlines of a shamrock and leprechaun hat. Students will fill in the cell colors using the basic color scheme. The purpose of this lesson is to give students confidence to complete more difficult tasks in Excel as well as to demonstrate to themselves that formatting a spreadsheet can be easy and fun. ![]()
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Favorite Snack Foods
Summary: Students survey each class member about their favorite snack: potato chips, cookies, candy, crackers or soft pretzels. The results will be entered and graphed in a spreadsheet program. Lesson: All students will participate in the lesson. Each student will ask every class member which snack is their favorite and will record their results using pencil and paper on the spreadsheet hard copy. For classes that have under 15 students, they can choose two favorite snacks. Students will then document their results using a spreadsheet program. The graph should represent their findings can be have advanced formatting. ![]()
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Coffee Shop Game
Summary: Students will run an online coffee shop for 14 computerized days. Game data including weather conditions (temperature and description), coffee price, cups sold and cash on hand as well as the final total will be recorded and graphed. Lesson: Students will learn to play the game before recording their results. Students will record their findings on a printed copy of the spreadsheet to enhance their observatory recording skills. Results for each day much be recorded or the game should be restarted. Once all results are written, they should be entered into a spreadsheet program and then final graphs can be determined by the teacher. An extension exercise can include a word processing summary with graphs about the successes and opinions of the entrepreneurial experience. ![]()
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Eat To Your Heart's Content
Summary: Students will learn about calorie consumption by recording three full days (breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert) from eating establishments of their choice. Comparative results can be graphed by meal or comparing total calories for three days. Lesson: Students will choose the entrees and items they want to eat for three days. They can use the following websites to research the fat and calorie information: If students have not eaten at particular restaurants, they can choose items they have seen on television or read about on the Internet. ![]()
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