Activity 1: Excel Content Formatting & Basic Formulas

Objective: Learners will format data, apply basic arithmetic operations, and use absolute cell
references.
Tasks:
1. Discuss (Group Work)
o Why is proper formatting (e.g., currency, percentages) important in spreadsheets?
o When should you use absolute cell referencing ($A$1) instead of relative referencing
(A1)?
2. Explain/Explore (Hands-On Task)
Activity 1: Excel Content Formatting & Basic Formulas
Table: Monthly Personal Budget
January Februar March Formula Used
Category
y
Income 200 220 240
(Allowance)
Groceries 50 45 60
Transport 30 35 25
Entertainment 40 50 55
Total Expenses
Savings
Tax (15%)
Instructions:
 Format cells: Currency for $, bold headers, borders.
 Calculate Total Expenses, Savings, and Tax (using absolute reference for tax rate).

o Learners:
 Format cells (currency, bold headers, borders).
 Use formulas to add, subtract, multiply, and divide expenses.
 Apply absolute referencing to calculate tax (e.g., if tax is 15% in a fixed cell).
3. Analyze & Apply (Critical Thinking)
o "If you change one expense value, which formulas update automatically? Why?"
o Extension: Create a summary table comparing expenses across months.
 Activity 2: Excel Functions (SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, etc.)
Objective: Learners will use statistical functions to analyze datasets.
Tasks:
1. Discuss (Class Brainstorm)
o What’s the difference between COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTBLANK?
o When would a business use MODE or MEDIAN instead of AVERAGE?
2. Explain/Explore (Guided Practice)
 Analyze this grade data:
 Add all missing formulas
 Use conditional formatting to highlight passing grades (≥80)
No.
Mat Scienc Histo Tot Avera Highes Lowe of Remar
Student
h e ry al ge t st pass ks
es
Alice 85 90 78
Bob 72 85
Carol 90 95 88

Mode

Median
Blank
Non_blan
k

Analysis Tasks:

1. Add formulas to find:

o Highest score in Math.

o Number of passing students.

o Learners:
 Calculate SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN for scores.
 Use COUNT for numeric entries and COUNTA for non-blank cells.
 Find MODE (most frequent score) and MEDIAN (middle value).
3. Analyze & Apply (Real-World Problem)
o "If two students are absent (blank cells), how do COUNT and COUNTA
differ?"
 o Extension: Compare functions manually (e.g., verify AVERAGE by adding
and dividing).

Activity 3: Sorting, Filtering & Charts for Sports Data

Objective: Learners will manipulate data, create charts, and justify presentation
choices.
Tasks:
1. Discuss (Think-Pair-Share)
o Why would a coach use filtering to analyze player performance?
o When is a pie chart better than a bar chart?
2. Explain/Explore (Data Project)
Table: Basketball Team Performance
Playe Points Points Points Total Avera Positi
r (Game 1) (Game 2) (Game 3) Points ge on

Alex 12 18 15 Guard

Jamie 8 20 10 Forwar
d

Taylor 15 12 22 Center

Morga 10 14 8 Guard
n

Instructions:
1. Sort by "Total Points" (Descending).
2. Filter to show only Guards.
3. Charts to Create:
o Bar Chart: Compare total points per player.
o Line Chart: Show each player’s progress over 3 games.
o Pie Chart: Display % contribution of each player to the team’s total
points.
3. Analyze & Apply (Presentation Task)
o "Which chart best shows a team’s improvement over 5 games? Why?"
o Extension: Groups present their charts and justify their chosen format.

Assessment Ideas:
  Rubric: Grade accuracy of formulas, chart appropriateness, and clarity of
explanations.
 Peer Review: Students critique each other’s spreadsheets for best practices.
Would you like modifications to fit a specific topic (e.g., business, science)? 😊

Activity 1: Excel Content Formatting & Basic Formulas

Table: Monthly Personal Budget

Category January ($) February ($) March ($) Formula Used

Income (Allowance) 200 220 240 (Manual Entry)

Groceries 50 45 60 (Manual Entry)

Transport 30 35 25 (Manual Entry)

Entertainment 40 50 55 (Manual Entry)

Total Expenses =SUM(B3:B5)

Savings =B2-B6 (Income - Total)

Tax (15%) =$B$8*0.15 (Absolute Ref)

Instructions:

 Format cells: Currency for $, bold headers, borders.

 Calculate Total Expenses, Savings, and Tax (using absolute reference for tax rate).

Activity 2: Excel Functions (SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, etc.)

Table: Student Test Scores

Student Math Science History Total Average Remarks

Name

Alice 85 90 78 =SUM(B2:D2) =AVERAGE(B2:D2 =IF(E2>=80,

) "Pass",
"Fail")

Bob 72 68 85

Carol 90 95 88

Class
Stats

Highest =MAX(B2:B4) =MAX(C2:C4) =MAX(D2:D4)

Score
 Lowest =MIN(B2:B4) =MIN(C2:C4) =MIN(D2:D4)
Score

Number =COUNTIF(F2:F4,
of Passes "Pass")

Instructions:

 Use SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, COUNTIF.

 Discuss why Carol’s MODE (most frequent score) is irrelevant here, but MEDIAN could be useful.

Activity 3: Sorting, Filtering & Charts for Sports Data

Table: Basketball Team Performance

Player Points (Game Points (Game 2) Points (Game 3) Total Points Average Position
1)

Alex 12 18 15 =SUM(B2:D2) =AVERAGE(B2:D2) Guard

Jamie 8 20 10 Forward

Taylor 15 12 22 Center

Morgan 10 14 8 Guard

Instructions:

4. Sort by "Total Points" (Descending).

5. Filter to show only Guards.

6. Charts to Create:

o Bar Chart: Compare total points per player.

o Line Chart: Show each player’s progress over 3 games.

o Pie Chart: Display % contribution of each player to the team’s total points.

Bonus: Printable Tables (For Handouts/Lab Work)

You can provide these tables as:

1. Blank templates for students to populate.

2. Partially completed tables (e.g., with formulas missing for them to fill).

3. Digital copies (Excel/Google Sheets) for collaborative work.