Sample assignments for spreadsheets and databases
Part 1
[ Samples of Spreadsheet Lessons ]
One technology tool that is often overlooked in many classrooms is spreadsheets. Many subject areas can benefit from the data organization and analysis abilities that spreadsheets and databases offer. Science, math, social studies, and even English all have places in their curriculum where programs like Microsoft Excel could be utilized to bolster student learning. In my particular subject, computer technology, spreadsheets are not only a good idea, but required material.
As a computer tech teacher, I find that many of my assignments are cross-curricular. While we do learn technology for technology’s sake, we spend a lot of time integrating history, math, science and English into the curriculum as well. Therefore, when I have the students work on spreadsheets, many of the activities have cross-curricular ties. Here are 4 examples:
[ Samples of Spreadsheet Lessons ]
One technology tool that is often overlooked in many classrooms is spreadsheets. Many subject areas can benefit from the data organization and analysis abilities that spreadsheets and databases offer. Science, math, social studies, and even English all have places in their curriculum where programs like Microsoft Excel could be utilized to bolster student learning. In my particular subject, computer technology, spreadsheets are not only a good idea, but required material.
As a computer tech teacher, I find that many of my assignments are cross-curricular. While we do learn technology for technology’s sake, we spend a lot of time integrating history, math, science and English into the curriculum as well. Therefore, when I have the students work on spreadsheets, many of the activities have cross-curricular ties. Here are 4 examples:
Example One: Climate Change Lesson
In this sample lesson from Hans Friedel, I would team up with a middle school social studies and science teacher to teach the students about the causes and effects of global climate change. Students would compare different locations and time periods around the world to examine possible relationships between human activity and the global climate. Students would use Excel to keep track of, organize, graph, and analyze all of their data from the project. Without Excel, finding correlations and relationships between so many data points would prove incredibly inefficient.
In this sample lesson from Hans Friedel, I would team up with a middle school social studies and science teacher to teach the students about the causes and effects of global climate change. Students would compare different locations and time periods around the world to examine possible relationships between human activity and the global climate. Students would use Excel to keep track of, organize, graph, and analyze all of their data from the project. Without Excel, finding correlations and relationships between so many data points would prove incredibly inefficient.
Example Two: M&M Analysis
This sample lesson out of Boise State University would be great to do in coordination with an elementary school math teacher. In this lesson students would learn the basics of Excel while getting to play with…Candy! This activity teaches students how to organize, graph, and analyze simple data along with introducing them to the basics of Excel. This lesson would be perfect for an introductory math and computers assignment.
This sample lesson out of Boise State University would be great to do in coordination with an elementary school math teacher. In this lesson students would learn the basics of Excel while getting to play with…Candy! This activity teaches students how to organize, graph, and analyze simple data along with introducing them to the basics of Excel. This lesson would be perfect for an introductory math and computers assignment.
Example Three: Lemonade Stand Business
This sample lesson from Jill Nesheim would fit well within a middle school math curriculum. In this activity, students run a virtual lemonade stand and keep track of how much money they invest, what supplies they buy, what recipes sell the best, and numerous other types of data. Excel is the perfect tool to help the students organize and analyze their data and they can use their findings to determine the most successful way to run a lemonade stand.
This sample lesson from Jill Nesheim would fit well within a middle school math curriculum. In this activity, students run a virtual lemonade stand and keep track of how much money they invest, what supplies they buy, what recipes sell the best, and numerous other types of data. Excel is the perfect tool to help the students organize and analyze their data and they can use their findings to determine the most successful way to run a lemonade stand.
Example Four: Technology Timeline
This sample lesson from Microsoft is something I could do solely as a technology teacher. For this activity, students would learn about the history of the computer and represent their findings through the creation of a timeline in Excel. Obviously, the timeline project could be used in a cross-curricular context as well, in a history or English class for example, but I think it would be a great tool for a technology project.
This sample lesson from Microsoft is something I could do solely as a technology teacher. For this activity, students would learn about the history of the computer and represent their findings through the creation of a timeline in Excel. Obviously, the timeline project could be used in a cross-curricular context as well, in a history or English class for example, but I think it would be a great tool for a technology project.
Part 2
[ My Own Spreadsheet Lesson ]
Lesson Title: Space Explorer
Grade Level: 6th or 7th
Lesson Length: One 90-minute block period
Objectives:
NETS-S Alignment:
Overview:
For this assignment students will begin by determining their weight on a set of mystery planets. They will know their own weight (hopefully!) and will have a formula for determining their weight on the mystery planet. They will do this in Microsoft Excel and here is an example of what their assignment would look like:
[ My Own Spreadsheet Lesson ]
Lesson Title: Space Explorer
Grade Level: 6th or 7th
Lesson Length: One 90-minute block period
Objectives:
- Students will learn the basics of Microsoft Excel
- Students will learn how to calculate a formula given two data points
- Students will learn how to calculate data points given a formula
- Students will learn how to create graphs
- Students will improve their abilities of interpreting and analyzing data
NETS-S Alignment:
- Standard 3: Research and Information Fluency
- Standard 4: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Overview:
For this assignment students will begin by determining their weight on a set of mystery planets. They will know their own weight (hopefully!) and will have a formula for determining their weight on the mystery planet. They will do this in Microsoft Excel and here is an example of what their assignment would look like:
Mystery Planet 1 |
Mystery Planet 2 |
|
Your Weight |
X |
X |
Weight Difference |
0.16 times your normal weight |
2.4 times your normal weight |
Excel Formula |
Student Created |
Student Created |
Weight on new Planet |
Excel Solves For |
Excel Solves For |
After completing this portion of the assignment for 8 mystery planets, the students will visit http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/. At this site, they will enter their own weight and see what their weight would be on other planets. After examining the data, the students would then complete a spreadsheet like this:
Mercury |
Venus |
|
Your Earth Weight |
X |
X |
Your New Planet Weight |
X |
X |
How many times lighter/heavier? |
Student Enters |
Student Enters |
Excel Formula |
Student Enters |
Student Enters |
Which Mystery Planet? |
Student Enters |
Student Enters |
The student will complete this spreadsheet for all 8 planets. Next, they will compare their original mystery planets with the actual planets in our solar system to determine which mystery planet corresponds to which actual planet.
Finally, the students will create a graph comparing their weight across the solar system. Students will be asked to show on which planet they would weigh the most, which they would weigh the least, and how Earth compares to every other planet. Finally, they will hypothesize as to why they think they might have a different weight on each planet.
A copy of the Excel workbook can be downloaded here:
Finally, the students will create a graph comparing their weight across the solar system. Students will be asked to show on which planet they would weigh the most, which they would weigh the least, and how Earth compares to every other planet. Finally, they will hypothesize as to why they think they might have a different weight on each planet.
A copy of the Excel workbook can be downloaded here:
excel_sample_assignment.xlsx | |
File Size: | 10 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |
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