Generalization: Technology enhances productivity.

Essential Question: How do computers change the work we do?

Unit Questions:

Why is it important to know the correct terms when talking to someone about technology?
If I no longer need a file in my user folder, how do I remove it?
How can I switch between two software applications when working in them both?
Why is it important to proofread your work? (to find and correct errors)
What are some ways can I get help if I don't know how to do something? (check with a classmate; ask the teacher; use help in the software program)
What projects would be best to create in a spreadsheet program?
What is the first thing we must consider when we choose font, color, or style? (readability)
How can changing font color or style help us to communicate better? (draw attention to important items)
How do charts and graphs enhance the communication between you and your audience?
What are the ways that we can share a document? (Monitor, email, printed copy, publish to Internet, save to user folder)
If I want to look at a project that I created in a previous year, how do I do that? (look in my user folder in that year's portfolio)
Why is it important to keep a timeline or checklist when completing my assignment? (to make sure that that my assignment include everything that my teacher asked me to do)

TEKS:

1(A) use technology terminology appropriate to the task;
1(B) save and delete files, uses menu options and commands, and work with more than one software application;
2(D) produce documents at the keyboard, proofread, and correct errors;
2(E) use language skills including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, word division, and use of numbers and symbols as grade-level appropriate; and
5(B) use on-line help and documentation.
7(B) use appropriate software to express ideas and solve problems including the use of word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, simulations, and multimedia; and
9(A) use software features, such as on-line help, to evaluate work progress; and
10(A) use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products are appropriate for the defined audience;
10(B) use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products are appropriate for the communication media including multimedia screen displays, Internet documents, and printed materials; and
10(C) use appropriate applications including, but not limited to, spreadsheets and databases to develop charts and graphs by using data from various sources.
11(A) publish information in a variety of media including, but not limited to, printed copy, monitor display, Internet documents, and video; and
12(A) select representative products to be collected and stored in an electronic evaluation tool;
12(B) evaluate the product for relevance to the assignment or task; and
12(C) create technology assessment tools to monitor progress of project such as checklists, timelines, or rubrics.

Subject Integration:  Math

Lesson Topic: Students will learn how to open up Excel and find cell addresses on a spreadsheet.

Terminology: Excel, spreadsheet, cell, row, column

Materials/Equipment: Class set of “Color by Cell Picture” instructions (go my computer, public, teacher resources, technology lesson plan templates, third grade, spreadsheets)

Instructional Activities:

1.      Key boarding warm-up for 5 minutes

2.      Model for students how to open Excel by clicking on the green X on their desktop.  A spreadsheet should appear.

3.      Demonstrate to students how to find a cell address, show how to fill a cell with a color

4.      Model how to follow the instruction sheet by going through all the steps for the black.  Have the students click to cell B24.  Then have them hold down the left mouse button and drag across to K24.  Then click on the fill button (paint bucket icon) and then choose black.

5.      The next instruction tells them to locate B25 and this time they will hold down the left mouse button and drag down to B28, then click the fill button and click on black.

6.      Repeat these steps for all of the black cells to color reminding the students that when there is a cell address:cell address it means to click and drag for that entire space and then click on fill.

7.      Once students have followed along with teacher for all the instructions for the black fill, allow the students to continue completing the picture.

8.      Suggest that they put a pencil checkmark next to each task that they complete.

9.      If they follow the coloring instructions correctly, they will have a picture when they have finished.

10.  Have students save their work in their user folder.

Modifications:  Early finishers can assist classmates who are having difficulty.

Assessment:  Teacher observation of pictures as they are forming.

Page last updated: 04/27/2007