Lesson Plan

• Apply the SUM function to total numeric ranges accurately.
• Construct IF formulas to categorize data based on specified conditions.
• Use VLOOKUP to retrieve related information from a lookup table.
• Employ COUNTIF to count cells that meet given criteria.

• Computer lab with spreadsheet software (Excel or Google Sheets)
• Projector and screen
• Printed worksheet containing practice exercises
• Sample data set (product codes, sales figures, student scores)
• Whiteboard and markers

Begin with a quick discussion on how businesses use spreadsheets to make decisions, linking to students' everyday experiences with budgeting or game scores. Review basic cell referencing and formula entry from previous lessons. Explain that by the end of the session they will be able to manipulate data using four key functions and demonstrate their understanding through a short exit ticket.

1. Do‑Now (5') – Mini‑quiz on cell references and basic formula entry.
2. Teacher mini‑lecture on SUM (10') – Syntax, demonstration, and quick check.
3. Guided practice with IF (10') – Students create pass/fail formulas using a sample score list.
4. VLOOKUP demonstration (10') – Show lookup table, students retrieve department data.
5. COUNTIF demo (5') – Count sales above a threshold, discuss criteria syntax.
6. Independent practice (15') – Worksheet exercises 1‑4; teacher circulates for support.
7. Common errors & tips (5') – Review range_lookup, absolute references, nesting IFs.
8. Exit ticket (5') – Students write one formula they found most useful and why.

Summarise how each function supports data analysis and check that the success criteria have been met. Collect the exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign homework: create a personal spreadsheet that incorporates SUM, IF, VLOOKUP, and COUNTIF to analyse a set of data of their choice.