Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Information Communication Technology ICT
Lesson Topic: Be able to sort data using a single criterion, or multiple criteria into ascending or descending order
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the purpose and benefits of sorting data in spreadsheets.
  • Apply single‑criterion sorting (ascending or descending) to a selected column.
  • Apply multi‑criterion sorting by defining primary and secondary sort levels.
  • Identify and correct common sorting errors such as partial range selection or text‑formatted numbers.
  • Evaluate sorted data to ensure accuracy for further analysis.
Materials Needed:
  • Computer lab with spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets)
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Sample data worksheets (digital or printed)
  • Teacher‑prepared slide showing sorting dialogs
  • Practice handout with product data set
  • Answer key for teacher
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick question: How would you find the top‑selling product in a long list? Review that students already know how to select cells and use basic formulas. Explain that today they will learn to organise data quickly using sorting, and they will be able to demonstrate correct single‑ and multi‑criterion sorts by the end of the lesson.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students examine a printed table and write the fastest way to locate the highest score; share responses.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Define sorting, ascending vs. descending, and demonstrate single‑criterion sort using Data → Sort A‑Z/Z‑A.
  3. Guided practice (12'): Whole class sorts the sample student scores by Score (descending); check whole‑range selection and frozen headers.
  4. Demonstration of multi‑criterion sort (10'): Show Data → Sort dialog, set primary level (Class ascending) and secondary level (Score descending); discuss hierarchy.
  5. Pair activity (15'): Students use the product data handout to (a) sort by Revenue (£) descending, (b) sort by Category ascending then Units Sold ascending, record results and answer a reflection question.
  6. Error‑spotting quiz (8'): Quick Kahoot/handout where students identify common sorting mistakes from screenshots.
  7. Recap & exit ticket (5'): Students write one tip they will remember for accurate sorting.
Conclusion:
Summarise that sorting reorganises entire rows based on chosen columns and that correct range selection and data‑type checks are essential. For the exit ticket, ask learners to note one situation where multi‑criterion sorting is useful. Assign homework to create their own spreadsheet, apply both single and multiple sorts, and bring screenshots to the next class.