#4492. Twelve Days of Christmas

Computer, level: Middle
Posted Mon Dec 13 04:01:10 PST 2010 by JIM DAWSON (JIM DAWSON).
Powhatan Junior High, Powhatan, Virginia
Materials Required: Computer with Excel or other spreadsheet
Activity Time: 45 minutes
Concepts Taught: Multiplication and addition on spreadsheet, value of fictional literary items

Create a spreadsheet for the twelve days of Christmas
Open new Excel workbook
In cells A2 through A13 type in the twelve days of Christmas (Partridge in a pear tree, Turtle Doves, French Hens, etc)
In cell B1 type Day 1, using fill handle, drag through to M1
In cell B2 type 1, using fill handle, drag through to M2.
In cell C3, type 2, using fill handle, drag through to M3.
Repeat for each item for each day (D4 = 3, E5 =4, etc.)
Make columns O and P as $
Cell N1 type Total Items, cell O1, type item costs, cell P1 total costs
In cells O2 through O13 assign a dollar values each item (i.e. for a Partridge in a pear tree = $200, each Turtle Dove = $6, each French Hen $7.50, etc).
In cells N2 through N13, using auto sum, students calculate total number of each item for the 12 days.
In cells P2 through P13, using multiplication, students calculate total $ spent on each item.
In cell P14, using auto sum, students calculate total $ spent over the 12 days.