The teacher should be
familiar with the websites
http://baycongroup.com/el0.htm and
http://bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm#StartingExcelLessons 8 and 9 Science Fair Excel Document Tutorial
Two 1 hour periods
Instructional Objectives
Students will use the Internet to follow a tutorial on Microsoft Excel so that they can create any necessary charts, graphs, or data tables for their science boards for the science fair. They will also learn to "bounce" between two documents using "minimize" and "maximize".
Advanced Preparation/Prerequisite Knowledge
The teacher should be
familiar with the websites
http://baycongroup.com/el0.htm and
http://bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm#StartingExcel
I
have allotted two class periods for this because there is a lot of reading and I
want to allow time for experimentation. You may find that the actual time is
different for your class depending on their experience with this program and
with their reading and comprehension ability. Adjust your time accordingly.
Not all students will need a chart, graph, or table, however I have taught all
of my students to use this. If you have a limited amount of computers, you may
just teach those who need to use it at this time, saving the rest for a later
assignment.
Since this lesson
requires a lot of reading, I have allowed the better readers to go first, then
had them assist those struggling students. I have had the stronger students read
to the struggling ones and help with explanation but have tried to prevent the
stronger ones from doing it for the struggling ones.
Once they have read the information, then I will allow the stronger students to
show the struggling ones if need be.
Materials
Computers with Internet
access.
At least one color printer.
Science Boards.
Glue sticks, paste, or
Elmer's School Glue.
Procedures
1. Each child will need his or her own computer to use. If you have only a few computers in your room you will have to allow only a certain amount of time per student. A lab is another good alterative.
2. Have the children open Internet Explorer or Netscape.
3. Have the children type in the first web site: http://baycongroup.com/el0.htm
4. Have them minimize the site and go open up Microsoft Excel.
5. Go to the start menu, programs, Microsoft Excel
6. Have them minimize this.
7. Go back to the tutorial by clicking on the icon of the page at the bottom of the screen.
8. Click on lesson one and have them follow each lesson to the bottom of the page.
9. When they have completed the tutorial through the end of the page have them switch to the other site.
10. Type in the address http://bcschools.net/staff/ExcelHelp.htm#StartingExcel
11. Open Inserting A Chart and follow the instructions on that page for creating a chart. Have students bounce between Excel and the tutorial to practice.
12. Once students are comfortable have them, create charts, graphs, or tables using their data.
13. Print of save to disk to print from another printer or at a later time.
14. Glue down printed documents on the appropriate location on the science board.
Extensions/Assessments
Assessment is in the finished product in whether or not they were able to present data for their projects using Excel.
Once they learn excel you can use this as an extension to any assignment. I have had students graph plant development in terms of measurements, create statistical graphs and charts, and present data for Science and social studies in this format.
