Unit 5D: Introduction to spreadsheets Section 5: INTEGRATED TASK
Objectives
Children should learn:
to change data in a spreadsheet to answer 'what if...?' questions and check predictions
Activities
Outcomes
Children:
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.
create and use a spreadsheet to produce costings which are within budget
Points to note
Children could collect the data as homework.
The receipts should show a variety of prices so that children can use their spreadsheet model to explore a variety of options.
This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of
activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by
moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
