Bet you might be thinking that spreadsheets and database information is for corporate American. Well, even as a student, I learned about pie charts and other database information charts. Spreadsheets are something that I did not think about elementary students using or why would they need too? After viewing web sites and reading my textbook and other information, I have come to the conclusion that spreadsheets are also just as important.
As I was surfing the web to find information to help me with ideas on integrating spreadsheets, I located http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/excel.html. I found this site to be helpful. One idea the site suggested was to show graphs often. That is part of the puzzle to help students to retain the idea of graphs.
I must say that I am surprised that students in the elementary levels would be using spreadsheets. I can see as a teacher that I would have a spreadsheet to list my student’s name, address, parent’s name, phone numbers, allergies, siblings, and other important information that as a teacher I would need. However, my brain is just spinning with ideas on how a first grade classroom could use a spreadsheet. One idea is to have the children to list their name, favorite color, song, book, toy, and holiday. This would a great get-to-know the class lesson. I would also list my favorites as well.
The more I use spreadsheets in my classroom, the easier it will be for the students to learn how to input their information. I would show them by using the projector from my computer. They could see me as I type in the information and the more they see this, it will become easier as I keep introducing.
A couple of weeks ago, I was subbing in a third grade class. The aid in the room said that graphing information was just introduced the day before. We discussed many different ways to graphs and we watched a BrainPop video. I finished the lesson with about five minutes left and thought I would have the students come to the board and graph what their favorite pizza topping. I discovered that once they physically came up and selected only one topping, they started to understand the concept. They had a lot of fun doing this exercise. I talked to the classroom teacher and she said they were doing great with graphing.
We never know which of our students will go on to work in corporate American and they just might think back to when they first were introduced to spreadsheets or database charts. I hope they remember Mrs. Perkins. I look forward to using them in my classroom and I hope you do too.
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