Lesson Plan

• Describe core spreadsheet components such as worksheets, cells, ranges, formulas and functions.
• Apply common functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP) to calculate and analyse data.
• Implement data‑validation rules to restrict input types and ranges.
• Format cells using number formats, conditional formatting and styles to improve readability.
• Develop and evaluate spreadsheet solutions for a given business scenario.

• Projector and screen
• Computer lab with spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets)
• Sample data workbook (pre‑loaded on each computer)
• Printed task handouts for each student
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student laptops (if applicable)
• Answer‑key sheet for teacher

Begin with a quick “what’s in a cell?” hook, asking learners to name parts of a spreadsheet they’ve used before. Connect this to yesterday’s lesson on basic formulas and set the success criteria: by the end of class they will build, validate and format a functional worksheet.

1. Do‑now (5'): Short quiz on cell references and range notation.
2. Mini‑lecture & demo (10'): Core components and introduction to common functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP).
3. Guided practice (15'): Students create formulas on the sample data workbook, using IF and VLOOKUP under teacher guidance.
4. Data‑validation activity (10'): Set whole‑number, list and date rules for the “Quantity” column.
5. Formatting workshop (10'): Apply currency, percentage formats and conditional formatting to highlight high values.
6. Independent task (15'): Complete the five assessment tasks; teacher circulates for support.
7. Review & exit ticket (5'): Students write one technique they mastered and submit it on a sticky note.

Summarise how functions, validation and formatting work together to produce reliable, readable spreadsheets. Collect exit tickets as a quick retrieval check and assign a homework task: recreate a simple sales tracker using at least three functions and one validation rule.