Subject: Instructional Technology
1. Topic-
The Boston Celtics Excel Assignment - Students will use excel to enter, organize and analyze basketball statistics.
 
2. Content-
Mass Educational Technology Standards

G9-12: 1.18 Define and use functions of a spreadsheet application (e.g., sort, filter, find).

G9-12: 1.19 Enter formulas and functions; use the auto-fill feature in a spreadsheet application.

G9-12: 1.20 Explain and use advanced formatting features of a spreadsheet application (e.g., reposition columns and rows, add and name worksheets).

G9-12: 1.23 Import and export data between spreadsheets and other applications.

G9-12: 3.1 Devise and demonstrate strategies for efficiently collecting and organizing information from electronic sources.
 
3. Goals: Aims/Outcomes-
1. Use Internet research skills to retrieve data.

2. Enter data into a spreadsheet and organize it.

3. Use tools of Excel to format cells and text.

4. Use sum, average and count if functions to solve mathematical problems.

5. Use graphs to make data easier to read.
 
4. Objectives-
1. Students will be able to retrieve data and enter it into a spreadsheet.

2. Students will be able to add titles to all rows and columns and sort data.

3. Students will be able to change the size and color of text and cells to make the graph easier to read.

4. Students will be able to use the sum, average, and countif functions, at least once, to solve a math problem.

5. Students will be able to create a graph to display a piece of data.
 
5. Materials and Aids-
1. Students will each have a computer station that is equipped with Excel and access to the Internet.

2. A projector is needed for demonstrations.

3. A rubric will be included with the assignment to help students understand how they are being graded.
 
6. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

1. First we will define spreadsheets and talk about why they are important.

2. I will use a projector to show them what Excel looks like and how to use its interface.

3. We will practice Internet research strategies by giving them a 2 question scavenger hunt, then discussing research strategies.
 

B. Development-

1. Using my projector, I will model the creation of a spreadsheet with the class. The spreadsheet will simply have students' names and ages. I would ask students to follow along by creating and editing the same spreadsheet on their own.

2. I would demonstrate how to format text and cells with the class.

3. I would demonstrate the use of the sum, average and countif functions.

4. I would demonstrate how to create graphs from the data.

5. I would conclude with a Q & A about Excel.
 

C. Practice-

1. I pair students off and use Inspiration to brainstorm ideas of different types of data that could be represented in a spreadsheet. Once each pair had at least five types of data, I would ask them to decide which type of data they would like to display in a spreadsheet.

2. Next, the pairs would use the Internet to gather their data and create a new spreadsheet containing their data. Because this is a practice exercise, students would only need to collect a few pieces of data. They will be required to change the color of a piece of text and of a cell, find a total, find an average, format cells/text and graph their data.
 

D. Independent Practice-

1. Once students have completed the practice spreadsheet, they are ready to start on their Boston Celtics data project. In this project, they must independently research and enter data (total points, minutes played, rebounds, blocks, assists, and steals) and format the cells and text.

2. Students will choose two different types of functions that they will use to reach some sort of statistical conclusion (average rebounds, total points, etc.)

3.Students would then choose a statistic to graph and determine which type of graph would be most appropriate for that particular statistic.
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

1. I will provide a handout with the Celtics data for lower skilled students who would have a problem retrieving or organizing data.

2. I would make the necessary modifications and accommodations for students on IEP's.

3. I would provide Assistive Technology in the classroom as needed.

4. During practice, I would pair higher skilled students with lower skilled students.
 

F. Checking for understanding-

1. During development stages, I would ask the class questions to check for their understanding.


2. During the practice I would check in with each group to informally check in and gauge their understanding.


3. At the end of their Celtics assignment, students will write a reflection, which will give me more, informal insight about their understanding.
 

G. Closure-

1. Students will write a reflection, which will allow them to look back on the process, acknowledge what they've learned, and demonstrate proficiency at reading data.

2. We will conclude the lesson with a discussion about other possible applications for Excel.
 
7. Evaluation-
For the Celtics assignment, I will use a rubric to formally assess students.
 
8. Teacher Reflection-
I will give feedback to each student by returning their rubrics and making comments on their reflections.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)