Spreadsheet Lesson Framework

For this assignment we are working on incorporating spreadsheets, either Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, into our lesson plans. At the end of the plan you will see an example of a spreadsheet that a student could create. To view the spreadsheet on the NOAA website that contains the original information, please click on the link labeled "water tables of all coastal regions" in the article below.

Grade: 3rd Content Area: Science

Lesson Description

Students will locate the NOAA website online and find the water table temperatures of all coastal regions. As small groups of 3-4 students, they will work together to collect data from each region listed. Students should have 2 locations from each region. Students will transfer the data into their own spreadsheet and format the spreadsheet so a graph or chart can be created. Students will use the chart to identify the variance of temperatures along the coastal regions of the United States. Teams will share their data and charts with each others so students can identify the similarities and differences, in addition to the temperature variances between the regions.

Goals - Learning objectives/targets:

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

• 3-ESS2-1. Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. [Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of graphical displays is limited to pictographs and bar graphs. Assessment does not include climate change.]

• Analyze and Interpret Data

• Analyze data in this lesson builds on K–2 experiences and progress to introducing quantitative approaches to collecting data and conducting multiple trials of qualitative observations.

• Represent data in tables and various graphical displays (bar graphs and pictographs) to reveal patterns that indicate relationships.

Students will use the following digital tools and will collect data from the NOAA website:

1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website in conjunction with the National Centers for Environmental Information

   • The NOAA website will contribute to the lesson by giving the students a way to locate data on the water table temperatures of all coastal regions. Students will find on this website a list of average temperatures across a twelve month period. In addition, students will be able to use the formula on the top of the page to convert Fahrenheit temperatures to Celsius temperatures.

2. Google Sheets

   • The Google Sheets webpage will be used to record the data from the NOAA page and organize it into a spreadsheet.

   • The spreadsheet should include the following column headings:

     1. The first column should contain the name of the location

     2. Each of the twelve columns that follow should be labeled with the name of each month of the year

   • The spreadsheet should include the following row labels:

     1. Each row will include the name of a location within each of the regions listed on the NOAA spreadsheet. Students should list 2 locations from each region.

     2. Once the information is organized, students will create algorithms and be able to create charts and/or graphs with the information. Finally they will compare their data to the data the other students collected.

Computational thinking/Design thinking Concepts:

Students will use the following Computational thinking concepts:

• Decomposition (brainstorm together to decide on which locations to select)

• Pattern Recognition (search for patterns in temperatures between the regions and identify similarities and differences)

• Abstraction (choosing the correct information to include in the creation of the chart or graph)

• Algorithms (use the tools built into the Google Sheets program to develop a chart of graph to display the information collected)

Students will use the following Design thinking concepts:

• Define the Problem (what is the best way to select the locations and the temperature readings in order to create a chart)

• Ideate (brainstorm how to create a chart or graph to best display the knowledge learned)

• Prototype (work with the Google Sheets program to select the chart that will show the information best, so all data can be easily reviewed)

• Test (work with other teams in the class to review the data and compare the similarities and differences between the charts created)

This is a Sample Spreadsheet the students will Create

Please note at the bottom of the spreadsheet are two tabs. On the first tab, the one you see displayed, are the temperatures the students have collected - one of each location. Also on the bottom of the spreadsheet is a second tab named "Chart" - this is an example of the kind of chart the students can create from the data they collect.

Here is a blank copy of the spreadsheet for you to complete your own research.