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Scheme of Work
About this Unit: 6B Spreadsheet Modelling/5D Introduction to
spreadsheets
In this unit children learn to use a spreadsheet to explore
a mathematical model.
Children will be taught to use formulae in spreadsheets to
answer ‘what if ...?’ questions. They will explore how
changes in a spreadsheet affect results and identify simple
rules.
Children will apply what they have learnt in this unit when
exploring mathematical and scientific models.
Lesson 1
- I
can use formulae in a spreadsheet
Introduction/context: (15 mins)
Remind the children about their earlier work with
spreadsheets and discuss mathematical investigations they
have carried out. Tell them they are going to use a
spreadsheet to explore a mathematical problem.
Away from the
computer
Demonstrate how we might notate a mathematical investigation
by listing results for a rectangles area vs it’s perimeter
as the above spreadsheet but without gridlines. Now add the
gridlines and cell references and comment on how we could
achieve this in a spreadsheet. Remind the class of the
formula for working out the area of a rectangle. Can any of
them translate this into cell references for a spreadsheet
formula contained in cell C4? (=A4*B4) What about for the
Perimeter? Once a formula is suggested, proceed to the
computer to test it out.
At the computer
Have some children model creating the titles and layout for
the above spreadsheet. Demonstrate how to enter a formula
into C4 using the “=” sign and note the result. Can a child
enter in the formula in C5 for the perimeter? Demonstrate
how the formula can then be cut and pasted down the cells
and how it amends the cell references as it guesses what you
want. (A4*B4 becomes A5*B5 and so on.) Always check your
formula is doing what you expect it to before trusting the
results.
Ask children to explore what
happens when the data in two cells is changed
Cross Curricular
Links - Maths work on
perimeter and area
Key Vocabulary
- Cell, Grid, Formula, Perimeter,
Grid reference
Learning Outcomes
- Most children will be
able to calculate a simple formula in a spreadsheet
Assessment
- Can they create a spreadsheet
that can work out the perimeter and area of any given
rectangle based on its width and length?
Resources -
computers, internet access, Google Apps account (at least
one)
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