Databases and Spreadsheets

GRADE FOUR LESSON ONE

Grade: Four

Subject: Excel

Date:

Time:

Overview: Students learn how to move around a spreadsheet, how to type

data into the cells, and learn why and what they are used for.

Goals/Objectives: Students will become comfortable with spreadsheets.

Introduction: This is the first lesson in a series of Excel tutorials for Grade Four.

Presentation: Students participate in discussion and work at their computers.

Content: Method:

Step 1-What is a spreadsheet? 1. The teacher introduces the general idea

of what a spreadsheet is while students
A spreadsheet is a big page with a grid on it. Each look up at the projector. Doing an
box in this grid is called a cell. Rows (numbers) and
columns (letters) categorize these cells. Each of
example of each of the various things a
these cells has an address according to which row spreadsheet can do would be a good
and column that they are in. For example the cell idea so that the students could see the
on the uppermost left-hand corner is cell A1 broad range of functions is could serve.
because it is in row 1 and column A. In these cells
you can write numbers, operations, formulas and
even words.
2. The next step is for the teacher to give
the students an example of what a
Step 2-Spreadsheet uses: spreadsheet is needed and used for.
a) calculating marks
b) graphing company profits 3. As a class, the students brainstorm
c) parents use to keep track of spending other uses of a spreadsheet. These
d) kids use to keep track of allowance ideas can be written on the board.
e) use for school projects
4. Students open up Excel. They then
click on different cells to see the
address come up and learn how to move
This is where the around the spreadsheet.
address shows up
when you click in a
cell; right now we are 5. Students enter data into the cells. They
on cell A1. The could enter their name and their
number one is entered birthday in two different cells. During
into this cell which this time the teacher can tell the
also shows up in the
location line. students that the data will appear in the
location line as well as the cell as they
are typing.

6. The teacher now has the students try to

This is the location
line where the data
entered into the cell
will show up.
edit their work by adding their last
names and warning them about a trick-
you have to click on the location line to
add or remove anything without
deleting the whole cell.
7. Students exit and do not have to
save their work.

Keewatin-Patricia District School Board Page 2

Databases and Spreadsheets
Grade 4 - 1