Lesson 3
Title: Charting Data in Our Biome
Grade Level: Fifth Grade
Subjects: Technology/Science
Learner Outcomes:
-
The students will identify parts of a spread sheet
-
The students will create two spreadsheets to chart data for
information gathered studying biomes
-
The students will adjust cell width and height
-
The students will label rows and columns
-
The students will enter data into the spreadsheets
-
The students will insert average function for each month
in each sheet
-
The students will create a chart from spreadsheets
Duration of Lesson: 3 45 minute
classes periods (two at the beginning of the unit, one at the end
of
of the unit)
Materials: computer paper, pencils,
data to be collected and charted for biome,
worksheet (attached), samples of sheets and charts (attached)
Technology Tools: Computer lab,
spreadsheet application (Excel, MS Works Spreadsheet),
Projection Device hooked to a laptop, laser pointer.
Teacher Notes:
-
Schedule computer lab to ensure availability during the time
of lesson.
-
Set up laptop and projection device prior to the lesson.
-
Ensure that spreadsheet software is available either through
the school's network or loaded on each computer in the lab.
Procedures:
-
Day 1
-
Take students to computer lab. Assign one student per
computer.
-
Start spreadsheet application and project on wall.
Have students launch their spreadsheet applications as well.
-
Identify basic parts of the spreadsheet, pointing to each
with the laser pointer on projection screen.
-
Demonstrate labeling rows and columns. Have the students
do the same on their computers.
-
Demonstrate increasing and decreasing row height and length.
Have students do the same on their computers.
-
Demonstrate how to enter text into a cell and how to change
orientation, font and style. Have students to the same on their computers.
-
Demonstrate inserting mathematical functions for sum and
average. Have students do the same on their computers.
-
Have students enter data into cells and observe how the "Sum"
and "Average" cells change as they do. Explain to students that they
will use this technology to track precipitation and temperature in their
own Biome over a period of three months.
-
Have students complete Worksheet
#1 (Labeling Parts of a Spreadsheet). Have students draw a line
from the label to the appropriate part of the diagram representing a spreadsheet.
-
Day 2
-
Take students to computer lab.
-
Have students start up spreadsheet application.
-
Break students into groups of 4 and 5. Assign each
group to create a spreadsheet to enter data collected for study of Biome.
Four sheets are to be created. One sheet
for each of three consecutive months of data collection for precipitation
and for temperature. The fourth sheet would
summarize all three months averages and totals. Each group will be
assigned jobs. Two to three students to create the sheet, one to
enter data, and one to create charts.
-
Assign 2 to 3 students per group to create sheets.
-
Have students save sheets to disks and label them accordingly.
-
Assign one student per group to enter data into sheets daily
as appropriate.
-
Day 3
-
Take students to computer lab.
-
Assign one student per computer.
-
Have students start spreadsheet application and enter predetermined
data into cells.
-
Demonstrate the process of creating a chart by:
-
highlighting cells to be charted
-
clicking chart button on toolbar
-
choosing type of chart to display data
-
displaying chart
-
Explain to students that each group will create a chart to
display data collection for their sheet.
-
Assign one student per group to create two charts
at completion of data collection. One chart displaying precipitation
and one chart displaying temperature.
Modifications:
-
Slow mouse settings down in control panel and/or use track
ball mouse for those students with poor motor abilities or poor eye hand
coordination.
-
Enlarge display in "Accessibility Options" in control panel
for those children with visual impairments.
-
Have those students who demonstrate proficient computer skills
help those children who are having difficulty.
-
Lower functioning children could label the sheet. On
level peers could enter the formulas.
Enrichment Activities:
-
Those students who show proficient skills with spreadsheet
applications could be assigned the task of linking each of the three sheets
for individual months data into the sheet that summarized the totals and
averages for the all three months. As data is entered into the individual
sheets, the summary sheet will be automatically updated.
Evaluation/Assessment:
-
Successful completion of worksheet #1 and successful creation
of one spreadsheet and two charts per group.
WV IGOs:
Technology
5.188, 5.187
Science
5.3, 5.2, 5.7, 5.13, 5.16, 5.17, 5.22, 5.67, 5.68, 5.71,
5.72, 5.73
National
Standards:
Technology
Knows the characteristics and uses of computer hardware
and operating systems.
Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software
programs.
Science
Understands the nature of scientific knowledge.
Understands the nature of scientific inquiry.
References:
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Excel
Authors:
| Donna Dennis |
 |
| Bernadette Rush |
|
| Jo Ellen Snider |
|
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