| Lesson Title: | European Currency Conversion to US Dollars | ||
| Curriculum Area: | Math | ||
| Technology Strand: | Spreadsheet | ||
| Grade Level: | 6 | ||
| Essential Question: | How can a spreadsheet be used to calculate and display data? |
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Activity Summary | Students will enter data into the European Currency spreadsheet and then interpret this data to answer questions on the activity worksheet. Students will also create a chart/graph to display specific data. |
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Curriculum |
Math 5.04 Use graphs, tables, and symbols to model and solve problems involving rates of change and ratios. |
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Technology |
Spreadsheet 3.05 Enter/edit data and use spreadsheet features and functions to project outcomes and test simple "what if..." statements in content assignments. 3.07 Modify/create spreadsheets to calculate and graph data to incorporate into content area projects (e.g., word processing, multimedia, webpages). |
| Activating Strategies |
| Use the PowerPoint Slide Show file (SS_Review_Show) with students to review basic spreadsheet vocabulary and to introduce students to formulas in a spreadsheet for calculating. As with a calculator, students must remember to clear out the values (zero out) entered before going onto the next problem. From discussion in the Social Studies classes, students should be aware of the new Euro currency being used by the European Union to facilitate business and trade. |
| Technology Vocabulary: Spreadsheet Vocabulary |
| Detailed Technology Instructions: Microsoft Works for Windows Spreadsheet Instructions |
| Cognitive Teaching Strategies |
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1. Open the "European_Currency" spreadsheet file. 2. Have students enter their first name in cell A1. 3. With the whole class, study the layout of the spreadsheet (read the labels). For example: a. In which cell do you enter the amount of US dollars? (E2) b. Click on cell E16. What is entered in that cell? (formula - discuss) c. What is the cell address for the cell with the total US dollar amount? (D13) 4. Distribute the "Euro_Currency_Activity" worksheet. 5. Read over questions 1-5 with the students, emphasizing in #3 to write the total US dollars spent for each of the three groups. 6. Students work individually on questions 1-5 and record their answers on the worksheet. 7. Work as a whole group on question #6. Discuss how to find the exchange rate for 1 US dollar for each of the European currencies. (In Column B enter a one for each European currency; then look in column D to see what that one European unit equals in US currency. Students predict who many of the European units it will take to equal one US dollar.) 8. Students follow the directions in #6 to create a chart to show the exchange rate for the first three countries (Denmark, European Union, and Poland). 9. Students should set Page Layout for Landscape Orientation and go to Print Preview for the teacher to check the charts (or print, but remember to have students put their names on the chart). 10. Students Exit the program without saving changes. 11. Students turn in their Activity worksheet. |
| Summary Strategies |
| Have students discuss and evaluate the use of a spreadsheet for calculating and displaying data. Students should turn to a partner and answer the essential question. |
| Resources Click for directions on how to download files on a Windows computer. |
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Microsoft Excel File European_Currency.xls Microsoft Word Files Euro_Currency_Activity.doc Euro_Currency_Key.doc Microsoft PowerPoint File SS_Review_Show.ppt Microsoft Works 4.0 or 4.5 for Windows Files European_Currency.wks Euro_Currency_Activity.wps Euro_Currency_Key.wps |
| Re-teaching and Enrichment Activities |
| Students will apply the technology learned to other spreadsheet activities. This is the last spreadsheet lesson in the European studies series. The next lesson in the series introduces students to multimedia with the lesson: Multimedia Presentations - An Overview. |
| Carolyn Uprichard |
| Prescott Technology Center, Data last modified: 7/16/2006 |