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Tech Integration Project
Lesson Accelerator: Project Overview

Fraction Frenzy
Software Type: Spreadsheet
The example project created in this Lesson Accelerator addresses NETS Performance Indicators for middle grades as used in a(n) Mathematics curriculum. It could also be used with older learners or adapted for lower grades. See the section on Extending and Adapting at the bottom of this page for ideas on how to use this same project for different subjects, grades, and skill levels.
Project Launchers
Lesson Accelerator Project Launcher pages contain video tutorials that show you, step-by-step, how to create this project using specific software applications, as well as a movie showing you what the finished project looks like. They also provide a download of all the example files used in the project, so you can recreate it.
When you've reviewed all the information on this page and would like to go to a Project Launcher, click the application name below that corresponds to the one you'd like to use for the project.
Go to: Excel 2004 (Mac) - Project Launcher
Go to: Excel 2007 (PC) - Project Launcher
Go to: Excel 2003 (PC) - Project Launcher
Description
The project begins with an introduction to spreadsheets. Students learn how cells are addressed and how to merge and format cells, as well as enter and edit cell contents. The project will involve creating a spreadsheet that helps students find the sum of two fractions. Students will add an interactive component to the spreadsheet that provides feedback on their attempts to find the lowest common denominator shared by the fractions in their problem.
Goals
To provide students with the opportunity to use spreadsheet tools to calculate the sum of two fractions and provide feedback on their results.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
  • Identify how cells are addressed.
  • Merge and format cells to create a title box.
  • Change cell dimensions, borders, backgrounds, and font characteristics.
  • Add comments to specific cells.
  • Enter & edit data in cells to create fractions.
  • Enter formulae using IF, AND, and OR statements in the appropriate cells.
  • Add conditional formatting to cells that will provide feedback.
  • Protect cells that contain formulae.
  • Print the spreadsheet.
Preparation and Skill Mastery
Students should have mastered basic computer skills, such as the use of input devices (mouse, keyboard, etc.), opening and closing applications, and saving documents to a personal folder or directory.
Materials
  • A computer with spreadsheet software installed.
  • The Student Information provided in the Project Activity Guide that accompanies this Lesson Accelerator.
  • A printer.
Task List
The tasks to be completed for this project include:
  • Opening a new document.
  • Merging cells and creating a title box.
  • Adjusting cell dimensions & formatting cell contents.
  • Adding comments to specific cells.
  • Entering fractions into cells.
  • Adding & testing formulae for the denominator and numerator.
  • Adding & testing a formula for the sum of the 2 fractions.
  • Adding conditional formatting.
  • Protecting & printing the spreadsheet.
Assessment
Assessment can be based on the following:
  • Have students been able to set up the cell formatting for the title box?
  • Have students correctly entered the formulae?
  • Does the spreadsheet provide accurate feedback for entered data?
  • Have the students completed the questions on the student worksheet correctly?
Extending or Adapting
Here are some possible ways that this lesson plan might be extended or adapted for different timeframes, grade levels, and skill/ability levels:
  • The basic skills taught in this Lesson Accelerator could be easily adapted to other content areas where the use of a spreadsheet tool would be helpful in performing calculations and providing feedback.
  • The formulae used in the spreadsheet could be modified to find the difference between two fractions instead of the sum (or other operations).
  • The conditional formatting could be simplified to test for one condition and return feedback in the way of a simple text phrase or change of cell color.
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