Lesson Topic:

Spreadsheet data entry and chart creation

Lesson Description:

This lesson is a review lesson for two Nebraska Standards (listed below). It is typically enjoyable and memorable because the students get to eat as part of this lesson.

Learning Goals/Outcomes:

• Students will create and edit a spreadsheet of data from a snack bag and classmates data.
• Students will create and edit a pie chart and a clustered column chart using the snack bag data.

Nebraska Standards:

• NE.CIS.HS.4.9.A  Enter, modify worksheet data, structure, format data, and problem solve in a worksheet.

• NE.CIS.HS.4.9.B  Sort data, manipulate data using formulas and functions, and create charts.

Teacher Planning:

Equipment/Materials/Software Needed:

• Computer with spreadsheet software capable of creating charts such as Microsoft Excel
• Snack that provides small pieces of varying colors - M&M's, Skittles, Fruit Snacks, Mike & Ike's, Colored Goldfish, etc.

Time Required for Lesson:

50 minutes 

Diagram/Setup:

NA

Technology Use:

Software:

Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets

Hardware:

Computer for each student

Instructional Plan:

Anticipatory Set/Pre-Activity:

• Distribute snack item for each student. Remind them not to eat the items until they've counted and recorded the data on their spreadsheet.
• Assist the students in starting their spreadsheet.

Benefits/Explanation/Real-World Connection:

• Being able to eat as part of this less is usually a positive thing for the students which makes it a memorable experience.
• Market research and quality assurance could also be additional topics touched upon during this lesson

Activities (i.e. instructions, warm-up, lesson, cool-down):

Image of the Snack Spreadsheet Instructions

Closure:

• Students can celebrate the completion of their spreadsheet and charts by eating their snack.
• Show some of the better formatted spreadsheets to highlight student creativity and professional formatting

Assessment:

Evaluate completed spreadsheet.

• Were all steps completed?
• Does the spreadsheet have an organized and professional apprearance?

Supplemental Information:

Modifications:

• Typically students complete the spreadsheet all on the same day. However, sometimes there are absences. Absent students can do the project on their own, they could ask a classmate for data just like they might ask them for class notes in another class.
• Self/Peer Evaluation - Have students compare their spreadsheet with a classmate by using the instruction sheet as a checklist.
• Groups - Groups students in 4-5 people (row or pods of computers depending on the layout of the room). Instead of entering their individual data, they enter data as a group and collect data from other groups in the room. This gives them larger numbers to work with and it allows them to speak to other students within the class. 
• Conditional Formatting - The students can use conditional formatting to identify the top/bottom quantity or have them add data bars to the total columns.
• There are really a lot of ways to modify this lesson to integrate a review of spreadsheet topics.

Safety Precautions:

• Snack items - I always check for food allergies and likes/dislikes of the class. Students don't necessarily have to eat the snack item, but it does feel like a treat. I've also had students share their food with classmates if they don't want to eat it.

Comments (adaptations for various grades/ages/teaching styles, etc.):

• Snack items - This has changed over the years depending on availabilty. The need is something of small pieces with different colors, so there are lots of options available. I've also purchased the big bag and then used little 4 oz cups or paper towels to separate into around 15-30 pieces per student depending on the item.
  

Resources:

Creative Commons Image - Attribution. Non-Commercial. ShareAlike