Computer Applications
Jimmy Yu
Oak Avenue IntermediateLesson Plan: Introduction to Microsoft Excel
Student Technology Standard(s) addressed:
1(e): Sort, organize, interpret, and display information using spreadsheets, databases, and graphs.
Subject(s): Computer Applications and Math
Time: 2 class periods (2-3 hours)
Independent practice:
Student will create a MS Excel spreadsheet, focusing on ‘autosum’ tool.
Learning objective. Results focus:
Open MS Excel and set up a spreadsheet.
Use MS Excel ‘autosum’ feature to total columns that contain constants (in this case prices).
CFU:
What are we going to do today?
-Create a spreadsheet
-Input data in MS Excel
What are we going to use the autosum tool for?
-To efficiently create a formula to total up prices
Hook/Background information/Activating prior knowledge:
Have you ever shopped in a supermarket?
Do you or your parents use a grocery checklist?
Do you or your parents ever compare prices?
Review basic MS Office tools (bold, font change, font size, highlight, text alignment)
Review data input in MS Excel (columns, rows, cells), types of data (labels, constans, and formulas).
Concept/Skill development, Guided practice:
Model: Make a short grocery checklist w/ prices.
ITEM AMOUNT QTY/LBS TOTAL
Apples $1.39 2
Orange juice $2.78 1
New York steak $7.99 2
Plastic cups $3.59 1
GRAND TOTAL
Show how to properly set up a spreadsheet in MS Excel.
Use ‘autosum’ feature to total the prices.
Essential Questions Appropriate to this lesson / checking for understanding:
What did I do?
Why did I do this?
How can this help me?
Why is the ‘autosum’ feature necessary?
Big Unit Ideas / Importance:
Why is this important?
1. learning technology
2. makes life easier
3. helps in organization
Student assessment strategies:
Visual check at the student’s computer to see if they are using ‘autosum’ function correctly
Student will print out and turn in a spreadsheet for assessment.
Unit Knowledge and Skills Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify the parts of a MS Excel spreadsheet (cells, rows, columns) and be able to efficiently input information in MS Excel. Also, they will have an understanding of the importance of the ‘autosum’ function and how formulas are created in MS Excel. They will understand the importance of creating and maintaining a spreadsheet to manage numbers-related tasks.
Differentiation of Instruction:
GATE/High level achievers –
Students will be required to analyze and compare the use of formulas vs. the more traditional method of simple calculations. They will produce a brief summary of their analysis. Additionally, they will be required to model and explain the steps to other in the class, to demonstrate their understanding of the subject.
Below grade level –
Students will work in groups and discuss what a spreadsheet is and what is the function of a formula. They will be able insert data into MS Excel, and be able to identify a formula and recall the ‘autosum’ feature.
ELL –
ELL students will be paired up with a helpful, high achieving student to help reinforce the strategies given by the teacher. They will be encouraged to use the electronic dictionary to aid in better comprehension. Additionally, they will be handed teacher-typed notes that summarize/outline the oral instructions given in class. They will be required to identify a formula, a spreadsheet, and recall the ‘autosum’ feature.
Resources Needed: Teacher-created class handouts and a computer for each student with MS Office software.
Closure:
Closure activity will be the independent activity and printed assignment, turned in. Afterward, I will use to LCD projector and ask individual students to identify parts of a MS Excel spreadsheet.
Post Lesson Reflection/Assessment:
Oral instruction will be provided along with a teacher-created handout. I will go over the handout with the students to ensure understanding. I will activate prior knowledge by discussing grocery checklists, balance sheets, calculations, and basic math terms. Students will be encouraged to work cooperatively to share knowledge and information during the guided practice and independent practice.
Next Steps:
Next logical steps include re-teaching the lesson but in another format. For example, I will add a lesson that calculate an account balance (credits/debits/subtotals) as well as on which will calculate percentages (basketball shooting percentages). Follow up activities will consist of the entire class to reinforce the importance of spreadsheets and formulas.
