Grade Level: Middle School
Duration: 7 class periods
Materials Needed:
Computers with internet access
Google Sheets access
Projector/screen for presentations
Students will collaboratively explore and demonstrate key features of Google Sheets including formulas, data manipulation, formatting, and visualization. They will learn these features using peer-led tutorials. By the end of this unit, they will apply these skills to individually complete a comprehensive assignment that combines all the presented skills.
Introduce project and explain goals
Discuss the importance of spreadsheet skills in real-world applications
Divide students into small groups; assign each group a Google Sheets skill area (e.g., formulas, charts/graphs, conditional formatting, collaboration tools, sorting and filtering data)
Students explore their assigned topic using tutorials, examples, and guided exploration
Each group prepares a short tutorial (5–7 minutes) to teach classmates
Teacher circulates to guide research and ensure accuracy
Groups produce a short practice activity that helps reinforce concepts
Each group presents their tutorial & practice activity to the class
Teacher provides feedback and clarifies misconceptions
Students complete a Google Sheets assignment that requires use of all skills presented (e.g., analyzing a dataset, creating a chart, using formulas, and formatting results)
Students work individually to demonstrate mastery
1. Basic Skills & Navigation
Formatting cells (text, numbers, colors, and borders)
Merging cells, adjusting row & column sizes
Understanding cell addresses (A1,B3, etc.)
Using keyboard shortcuts in Google Sheets
https://www.w3schools.com/googlesheets/index.php
2. Formulas & Functions
Basic formulas (MIN, MAX, SUM, AVERAGE)
Different ways to apply formulas to cells
Copying formulas to 100+ cells
More advanced functions (IF, COUNTIF)
https://www.w3schools.com/googlesheets/index.php
3. Charts and Visuals
Creating bar, line, pie, and scatter charts
Customizing chart styles and labels
Adding chart legends
Adjusting data point colors
https://www.softr.io/blog/make-graph-google-sheets#
4. Data Manipulation
Basic cell addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Addition/multiplication of 2 columns of numbers
Cell references (absolute vs. relative)
https://www.w3schools.com/googlesheets/google_sheets_addition.php
Group Tutorial Presentation (5-7 minutes)
Practice Activity (5-7 minutes)
INDIVIDUAL DELIVERABLES:
Completed Spreadsheet Project (In-Class)
8th Grade:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ccbc8uxWnbeJijKsJnJQolDfWT14FLXfjcn0oWPUNuc/edit?gid=0#gid=0
7th Grade:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bWxo9oWHaMd5nHtu1FnDqRUGfXlLqKRWAzMU08cj8t4/edit?gid=0#gid=0
PROJECT RUBRIC