Lesson 6
Mystery Computations
Lesson Narrative
This lesson is optional. The purpose of this sequence of three lessons is to introduce spreadsheet functionality to students who are unfamiliar with it. It is assumed that students know nothing about spreadsheets. If students have already learned to use spreadsheets as computation tools previously, this sequence of lessons can be safely skipped.
To engage in this lesson, students must have access to internet-enabled devices. Ideally, they should navigate to the digital version of the materials with the embedded applets. A direct link to each applet is also provided.
Students experiment by changing numbers in a provided spreadsheet and discover what it does and how. Then, they have an opportunity to write their own formula. When students observe the outcome of different inputs and then generalize the operations in the formula cell, they are expressing regularity in repeated reasoning (MP8).
Learning Goals
Teacher Facing
- Use cell references in a spreadsheet to provide arguments for mathematical operations.
Student Facing
Let's explore spreadsheets.
Required Materials
Required Preparation
Acquire internet-enabled devices. It is ideal if each student has their own device.
Learning Targets
Student Facing
- I can determine basic relationships between cell values in a spreadsheet by changing the values and noticing what happens in another cell.
Print Formatted Materials
For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners.
Additional Resources
| Google Slides | For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners. |
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| PowerPoint Slides | For access, consult one of our IM Certified Partners. |