An introduction to spreadsheets 1
Secondary foci: Personalised Learning, More able and talented,
How was it used?
A resource that was used to introduce spreadsheets to Y4 pupils and to extend the skills of Y5 and Y6 pupils through the use of formulae.
Spreadsheet Recognition – using this activity on the IWB for the whole class provided a brief but very clear, basic introduction to the vocabulary of spreadsheets for those at that initial stage but also provided an engaging review of this vocabulary for the older pupils, which maintained their interest with its animations and quirky robot character.
Spreadsheet Recognition 2 – a hangman type game – required some preparation as it uses some vocabulary not introduced in the first activity. After some preparatory work the pupils could tackle this activity in pairs, there are a number of questions, randomly selected so it’s possible to allow them several turns. In a hectic classroom, a teacher’s crib sheet would be useful as some of these questions are a little odd in my opinion.
Formulae – Some pupils in the class were only expected to progress as far as entering data into a prepared spreadsheet. For these pupils, the early parts of this activity were simply a demonstration of how the spreadsheet had been prepared. Other pupils, working on the classroom computers, could progress through this activity as far as their ability and time allowed, learning how to create formulae which use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and the SUM and AVERAGE functions. In a mixed age class it allowed differentiated and individualised learning.
Impact and Outcomes
Using the interactive white board to show animated explanations helped pupils retain the meaning of the new vocabulary more effectively than traditional methods – colour, movement and humour are all important factors in the psychology of memory.
Some pupils found it useful to be able to refer back to these activities – computers are infinitely patient and non-judgemental.
Some pupils in the class enjoyed the fact that they could play the games again at home and/or share the formulae work with their parents, thereby extending the classroom.
I always link to NGfL-Cymru activities from the school website – it means that pupils (and colleagues) can access them very easily both from school and home and the link is already there when the planning cycle comes around again.
Learner Feedback
“I did that game again when I got home and got 5/5."
“I showed my mum those spreadsheets on the website and she said she uses a spreadsheet at work.”
Other Resources
I showed a few spreadsheets created by last years' pupils in order to facilitate a discussion about what spreadsheets are for, why they are useful and also to set out my expectations.
As part of these discussions you can ensure that you cover the vocabulary needed in the Spreadsheet Recognition 2 game.
Lesson Learnt
I’ll definitely have a crib sheet of answers handy next year