What
is a Spreadsheet?
A
spreadsheet is a computer program that allows text, numbers or
formulae to be entered into cells in a grid format. The cells
can be linked together by formulae, so that altering numbers in
one cell will produce a different result in another.
Spreadsheets
can be used to support themes/topics where pupils collect data
and would like to test hypotheses of the type: "What would
happen if...?" Information from the spreadsheet can be displayed
as a graph/chart.
Examples
of using Spreadsheets:
-
weather averages: enter in rainfall data etc. and then use a
formula to work out total or average rainfall; graphs could
be used to show days where there was above or below average
rainfall
- if
the topic is All About Me, pupils could measure various body
parts or height etc. and use the spreadsheet to find who is
above or below the average size. Investigate to find out whether
the time of year born has anything to do with the differences
- making
puppets: pupils measure their own body parts and then use formulae
to scale body parts to 1/10 or 1/30. Puppets can then be constructed
with accurate proportions
- school
tuck shop: purchasing costs; selling on costs and profit
- building
a house: enter all material and unit costs, then use formulae
to calculate the sub-total costs and work out the overall total
- cake
making: enter the ingredients needed for one cake and then,
using formulae, calculate the ingredients needed for 36 or 56
cakes
-
best value buy: enter in brand names, weight and cost and then
use a formula to calculate the cost per gramme or ml
- calculating
perimeters or areas
- magic
squares
 Classroom
Strategies for Spreadsheets
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