Spreadsheet Lesson Evaluation Assignment
(25 Points--see the rubric for scoring guidelines)

1. From the list of resources below, locate a classroom lesson integrating a spreadsheet program that you envision using with students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. Using the Word template provided, include the following information about the lesson:
   • Your name
   • The URL for lesson (hyperlinked)
   • Information about intended age and grade level
   • Subject area/areas
   • Topics/concepts to be covered

2. Evaluate the lesson regarding its potential classroom use using the Lesson Evaluation Template as a guide.   
   • Is this lesson suitable for classroom use?
   • What California Standard does it address?
   • What level of computer access is needed?
   • Is it something you can do?
   • Does it have an assessment component?
   • What changes or modifications, if any, would you make to the lesson?

3. After you have evaluated the lesson and included your modifications (if any), create a sample of the spreadsheet and an appropriate graph/chart that you would expect the students to do for this lesson. Your spreadsheet should include:
   • At least five rows and three columns
   • At least two functions (e.g. sum, difference, average, etc.)
   • Titles for columns
   • Data relevant to the lesson plan
   • Additional formatting to support readability of the data display

4. Your graph/chart should include:
   • A relevant format for data being analyzed
   • An appropriate, descriptive title
   • Labels for data (e.g. x and y axes or other graph descriptors)
   • An appropriately placed legend
   • Additional appropriate formatting to enhance the display

5. Once you have created your graph, address the the following in your Word document
   • Was the graph generated appropriate for analyzing the data? Why or why not?
   • Include a bulleted list of at least 3 questions you could pose to the students for analyzing the data. Your questions should:
     • Be appropriate for the data being analyzed
     • Demonstrate higher order thinking skills  (i.e., more than just “How many red M&Ms”.)
     • Be accompanied by explanations for appropriate answers based on your data

    You will submit TWO documents for this assignment:

1. Your lesson information and evaluation with the analysis questions saved as: last name_lesson_evaluation.doc (Word Document).
2. Your spreadsheet sample with the graph saved as: last name_sample_spreadsheet.xls (Excel file).
3. Submit via e-mail attachment.

     Assignment Rubric    Lesson Evaluation Template

    
Resource Sites for Spreadsheet Lessons

      University of Virginia: Center for Technology and Teacher Education: Excel Activities

University of Virginia: Center for Technology and Teacher Education: Excel Interactive Activities:

Classrooms that Excel - Resources

NCTM- Illuminations- Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software

NCTM- Illuminations- Collecting, Representing, and Interpreting Data using Spreadsheets and Graphing Software- Collecting and Examining Weather Data

Integrating Spreadsheets in the Classroom

LT Technologies, Inc. Spreadsheet Resources

Excel Activities

ThinkQuest: Classroom Activities using Excel (includes language arts and Social Studies Activities)

Literacy Activities Using Microsoft Excel

Math Forum: Exploring Data

North Canton Schools: Excel Activities


Additional Resources:

Nevada State Standards Site
Select the subject area, and then select the standards link. Select the link for the “Word” version of the content standards. The document will download and you can copy and paste the standard and description into your document.

Describing Data with Charts and Graphs
Provided information on different types of graphs


"How To" Resources:

Excel Tutorials

Excel Intro: Chart wizard

John Peltier’s Chart Tutorials: Making Charts in Microsoft Excel
 

Copyright © 2011 Robin Roberts