Ways of using Excel in the Numeracy lesson

The spreadsheets may be demonstrated on line, but you will need to save your own copy to enable changes to be made. Click on the link with the RIGHT button and select 'Save target as...' Browse to find a folder to save the sheet.

Number machines (Excel 5.0/95) Two operations are carried out on a row of numbers. Children have to discover what the "machine" has done. They may continue entering numbers until they are sure. The "answer" may be shown, then hidden.

These sheets use macros, which are assigned to buttons, to re-format cells. A macro is simply a sequence of tasks. Macros are created by "recording" the tasks in the order in which you want them carried out.

Adding 10 or 11 (Excel 5.0/95)

This workbook contains a set of sheets which complement Year 3 work on the hundred square. Encourage children to look for patterns, and identify them on the hundred square. For example, the result of adding ten is found on the hundred square in the cell below. To find the result of adding 11, go to the cell below, and move one place to the right.

The formulae on these sheets are very simple, and may easily be changed. For example, the formula in C2 is: =B2+10

The hundred square was made by entering this formula into B1: =A1+1 This formula was copied across the row, by selecting the cell and dragging the bottom right-hand corner:

The formula =A1+10 was entered into A2. Cell A2 was then selected, and copied down the column. The selected column was then dragged across the sheet.

Perimeters (Excel 5.0/95)

This sheet was created for a whole-class introduction with Year 4. It was important to be able to draw rectangles quickly and accurately. The grid needed to be displayed, so that chidlren could identify units. The learning objective was to identify the perimeter, and formulate how it should be worked out for these shapes.

There is an immediate problem in creating a square grid, because Excel uses different units for column width and row height. You have to judge visually when your cells are 'square'. Select the entire grid (click in the top LH corner of the sheet):

Drag ANY row boundary (i.e. below any row heading), then do the same for columns.

Drag out a rectangle and click Fill Color. Click the arrow to the right of the Fill Color tool, for the full palette.

The grid includes L-shapes. Make these as rectangles, then select a cell, or block of cells. On the Fill Color palette, click No Fill.

Graph of 2, 3, 4 times tables (Excel 5.0/95)

Select the whole sheet, choose a font size, drag any row boundary to expand the cell height. To generate the 2 times table, enter 2 into A1.

Click in A2. Enter: =A1+2

Copy this formula down the column, at least as far as Row 10. Select this block of cells, then click the Chart button. Accept all the options: just keep clicking Next, and finally Finish:

Select the graph by clicking on it. Drag near the edge to move it. Drag outwards on a handle to enlarge.

Delete the graph and enter the 3 and 4 times tables. Graph the whole block by selecting and clicking the Chart button.

Step 2 of the Chart Wizard lets you change the titles that appear in the key. Click on the Series tab to rename each of the three series.

In a similar way, this sheet incorporates a chart. As the data is added, the graph immediately reflects the changes.

This sheet uses the INTEGER formula to partition a three digit number into HTU. The number is first divided by 100. The integral part is the number of hundreds. The tens and units are calculated from the remainder.

The sheet is also protected so children cannot alter the contents. To do this, first lock all cells - apart from the cell(s) which can be changed! Format - Cells - Protection.

Next, protect the sheet: Tools - Protection - Protect sheet. Locking has no effect until you have done this. Unprotect the sheet if you want to make changes.

Ways of making a total (Excel 5.0/95)

This simple sheet has two purposes: to demonstrate formulae, and to serve as a warm-up activity. The class are asked to work out what they think has been done with the numbers to get the result. Click on the result to show the formula - were the children right?

A simple balance sheet (Excel 5.0/95)

Many real-word applications of spreadsheets involve financial control and budgeting. This sheet is mostly incomplete, enabling pupils to enter the formulae. The sheet may then be used to model ways of spending the money.