Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Information Technology IT
Lesson Topic: Create data visualization (pivot tables, charts)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Create and interpret pivot tables to summarise large data sets.
  • Design and select appropriate charts to visualise data trends.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of visualisations for decision‑making.
  • Calculate and incorporate percentage and growth metrics in visualisations.
Materials Needed:
  • Computer lab with Excel or Google Sheets installed.
  • Projector and screen.
  • Sample sales data worksheet (printed or digital).
  • Whiteboard and markers.
  • Handout with chart design checklist.
  • Calculator (optional).
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick discussion of how raw sales figures can be hard to read, asking students to imagine presenting this data to a manager. Recall previous lessons on basic spreadsheet functions and introduce today’s success criteria: students will build a pivot table, create a chart, and justify their visual choices. Emphasise that clear visualisation supports better business decisions.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students examine printed raw data and note challenges in interpretation.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Explain purpose of data visualisation and key components of pivot tables.
  3. Guided demo (15') – Instructor builds a pivot table in Excel, showing rows, columns, values, and filters.
  4. Student activity (20') – Learners create their own pivot table (Units Sold by Product & Month) and generate a stacked column chart.
  5. Analysis & discussion (10') – Groups calculate regional revenue percentages, interpret the chart, and share recommendations.
  6. Exit ticket (5') – Write one sentence stating the most effective chart type for the given data and why.
Conclusion:
Summarise how pivot tables simplify data summarisation and how the chosen chart highlighted product trends. Ask students to submit an exit ticket reflecting their chart choice and a brief interpretation. For homework, they should locate a real‑world data set, create a pivot table and accompanying chart, and prepare a one‑page report.