Teachers are very busy people and there are many details for which they need to keep track. Some details can be better managed by using a spreadsheet. When general spreadsheet formatting is learned then it can be used to create documents to meet those needs. Spreadsheets are record data(such as students' names and other information related to them), manipulate data (such as totals and averages) and illustrate data in tables and charts. Therefore spreadsheets can help with classroom management and preparation for class reports that every teacher needs to create to be able to illustrate students' progress.
 
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The "Do You Want to Excel?" curriculum web is designed to help teachers learn to use Excel. Once some basic skills are mastered, the teacher can then create documents that will simplify the many tasks required of them.
 
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Why should I learn Excel when I have a calculator and a pencil and paper? Great questions!

• Many teachers have a classroom budget. Even small budgets need to be managed well and kept current. Excel allows you to enter data and then will continue to repeat the operation or operations for you without added work.
• Teachers are also constantly having to illustrate that their students are not being left behind. Making a chart template would enable a teacher to make a chart for each student and share these easily with parents.
• Grading with rubrics is a wonderful way to evaluate projects. Making a rubric in Excel is a great way to clearly and concisely communicate the criteria to the students.
• Excel is a great data keeper. Teachers that deal with times and numbers with their students will find this very helpful. PE teachers keep track of number of laps run or push up's done.
• Keyboarding teachers keep track of accuracy and words per minute.
• Language Arts teachers need to keep track of books that students have read.
• Teachers will collect money for field trips or various other activities and will appreciate a tool that keeps track of how much is collected.
• Crossword puzzles can also be made here or copied off an internet maker and stored in Excel.

There are as many uses of a spreadsheet as there are people to use them. Learning the basics in Excel will enable the teacher to meet the needs of the classroom with ease.
 
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This curriculum web is designed for teachers who are concerned that their peers are not comfortable using a spreadsheet to make their life easier.
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This curriculum web is designed for teachers. They have a basic understanding of Microsoft Word and have used a grade book program that closely resembles a spreadsheet. They may have a preconceived idea that Excel is difficult program to use, simply because they have little experience with it.

The skills are applicable to anyone who wants to learn Excel and has a basic computer understanding. The examples used will apply to a teacher's classroom but are transferable to others needs.
 
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Teachers should know:

• How to navigate in a Microsoft product,
• Copy and paste from one document to another,
• Save in a logical place,
• Print a document,
• Have a desire to simplify their classroom management into a digital format that can be reused and modified.

 
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Learning to use Excel involves familiarization with the 'look' of a spreadsheet, and the ability to make use of its unique wizards and functions, including:

• The page setup of the worksheet and workbook.
• The formatting of cells, rows, columns, and the worksheet.
• The manipulating of data.
• The use of formulas to produce desired mathematical results.
• The use of the chart wizard to create charts and graphs.

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Upon completion of the lessons in this unit, the learner will be able to:

• Name the parts of a spreadsheet.
• Change the size of a cell.
• Format a cell to have different attributes.
• Insert a functioning formula.
• Make a correctly labeled chart.

Use the above skills to make classroom organizational tools.
 

Review the general set up of an Excel spreadsheet and the terminology necessary to navigate it effectively. Expose the learner to several classroom uses of a spreadsheet.

Facilitate the learner in developing the necessary spreadsheets that will aid in the teacher's classroom organizational needs.

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Instructional Plan

The teacher will expose the learners to several examples of different products that can be designed with Excel. As the learners see the ways that a spreadsheet can help, the teacher will work through the tutorial with the learners, illustrate the different steps and answer questions that may arise from their inexperience with Excel.

The teacher will encourage the learners to work together in pairs by content areas. It would be best if the groups were heterogeneous, pairing a more experienced learner with one who is less confident of his or her abilities on the computer.

After working through the tutorial, the teacher will encourage the learners to choose one of the projects listed on the Introductory page. The teacher will help the learners create that project. 

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The learners will need:Access to a computer that is linked to the Internet and has a web browser. Access to a computer that has Microsoft Excel software installed.

Access to a printer for the whole class.
 
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Appendices

Lists of the resources from the Internet used to create and develop this curriculum web.

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Illustrations and explanations of the basic menu bars that are needed for the sample projects.

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