Year 5D.QCA- Introduction to spreadsheets

About this unit
In this unit children learn to enter numbers, labels and simple formulae into a spreadsheet and to use the data to calculate totals.

Children will be introduced to spreadsheet software and will explore how changes in price and quantity can affect total cost.

Children will apply what they have learnt in this unit when exploring mathematical and scientific models.

Where this unit fits in
This unit builds on earlier units about information handling.

The unit assumes that children:
  • can calculate total costs
  • can recognise number patterns
  • can use a reference to locate a grid in a square.
Technical vocabulary

  • spreadsheet
  • cell
  • formula
  • sum
  • calculate  
Resources
  • spreadsheet software
  • a variety of receipts
  • a prepared spreadsheet
Images

Sounds

Video

Software suitable to use:
Microsoft Office or Works-Excel
Wizards Apprentice
Textease CT (Softease) Kent Discount
Excel (Microsoft)
The Model Shop (Sherston)
Number Box (Blackcat)
Number Box (Blackcat)
Number Magic RM
2Calculate (2Simple) Kent Discount
Granada Database Granada
Granada Spreadsheet Granada


Online Resources-for Teachers: SPREADSEETS & DATABASES(primary resources)
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/ict/ict2.htm

SPREADSHEET LESSONS (ngfl)
http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/going_going/eng/Introduction/default.htm

Online Resources- for Pupils:


Objectives:

key idea: that computers can calculate costs and are useful when prices change
technique: to enter labels and numbers into a spreadsheet

technique: to enter formulae into a spreadsheet

technique: to use 'SUM' to calculate the total of a set of numbers in a range of cells
  • to change data in a spreadsheet to answer 'what if...?' questions and check predictions
QCA-ACTIVITIES:

Section 1: SETTING THE SCENE
Discuss the idea of working to a budget; for example, for a school trip. Discuss how totals will need to be recalculated if prices or quantities change, such as the cost of tickets or number of people.

Section 2: SHORT FOCUSED TASKS
Show the class how to move around a spreadsheet and how to enter numbers and text labels. Ask the class to identify the contents of particular cells. Ask the children to work in pairs to produce a table such as one showing the costs of the various ingredients which make up a meal.

Section 3: SHORT FOCUSED TASKS
Show the children how to enter a formula into a spreadsheet, such as '=c2+c3'. Ask the children to use formulae to add the contents of two cells. Ask the children to explore what happens when data in the two cells is changed. Ask them to explore subtraction, multiplication and division and to predict how the contents of cells will change.

Section 4: SHORT FOCUSED TASKS
Remind the class how '=c1+c2+c3+c4+c5+c6' produces a total. Discuss the amount of typing required. Introduce the use of '=SUM(c1:c2)' as a shorter way of producing totals. Ask the children to use 'SUM' to calculate the total cost of a meal.

Section 5: INTEGRATED TASK
Tell the class that they are going to plan a party and that they will use a spreadsheet to calculate the cost of materials for the party. Explain that they will be given a budget and that they are to decide what materials to buy so that they don't go over the budget. Tell them that they will need to conduct a survey to decide what materials they will need. Tell them that they will need to find out such things as the most popular food and drink. They will then need to draw graphs to show the results and analyse the graphs to decide what food and drink to buy.

Remind children how to create a simple spreadsheet and explain terms such as 'cell', 'calculate' and 'formula'. Then ask them to use data taken from receipts. Ask them to enter formulae and to use the spreadsheet to check different options, such as buying different amounts and brands of canned drink.

Ask the children to work in pairs to enter their data into the spreadsheet. Then get them to check that the total amount of money needed is within their budget, and if not, discuss which variables can be changed. They should check to see the effect of the changes. Ask the class to present their results and identify any choices they have made.

Expectations
most children will: use a spreadsheet to carry out calculations

some children will not have made so much progress and will: use a spreadsheet to produce a table of data

some children will have progressed further and will: use a spreadsheet to carry out calculations; explore the effects of changing the data in a spreadsheet
 
Assessments
2simple- 2Assess
Activities
Enter information,
How much money?
How many?,
Food Total,
Grand Total,

Activities by QCA-Enter information, How much money?, How many?, Food Total, Grand Total