Tech Lesson 10a:  Setting Math Story Problems to a Spreadsheet

Standards:
Demonstrates understanding of basic technology and telecommunication tools
Operates Basic technology tools and applications

CSTA Level I Standard 4: (3rd to 5th) Use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum.
CSTA Level I Standard 5: (3rd to 5th) Use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create presentations, and publishing activities to create presentations for audiences inside and outside the classroom.

Basic Skills:

M5P4 Students will make connections among mathematical ideas and to other disciplines.
M4P5:  Students will represent mathematics in multiple ways.
M5A1: Students will represent and interpret the relationships between quantities algebraically.

Student Instructions:  (Example Worksheet)

(Example Question)


1. Read the Story Problem and circle the characters or objects in the story.



2. Underline the the numbers in the story and draw arrows to point to the characters or objects they refer to.



3. Draw a box around the essential question of the Story Problem.



4. Decide what math function will be needed to solve the problem.
-> Addition
-> Subtraction
-> Multiplication
-> Division
-> Combination or multi-step

5. Start Open Office.  Click File->New->Spreadsheet

6. Put the characters or objects in cells B2 and B3.  (Use more cells in Column B if needed)



7. Put the number values in Column C next to the characters or objects.



10.  Type "Answer" in Cell B3 (Or at end of character Column)
11. Underneath the "Answer" Cell - type the formula needed to solve the problem
Examples:
Addition:  =C2+C3
Subtraction =C2-C3
Multiplication =C2*C3  (Notice that * means "multiply" in most computer systems.)
Division =C2/C3 (Notice that / means "divide" in most computer systems.)



12. Your Spreadsheet should look like this:



12.  Save your work as "Lastname Problem Practice" in your file area.

Check your answer by hand.