Using Google Spreadsheet in Grade 5 Math
Math Unit: Patterns and Algebraic Equations

Standard:
Students will use input / output tables to help them solve algebraic equations.

Related Math Vocabulary :

Variable: a letter, symbol, or other placeholder in a mathematical expression that has an unknown value
Function: a relationship between two variables in which the value of one variable (often called the output) depends on the value of the other variable (often called the input)
Equation: a mathematical sentence that contains an equal sign
Resource:

Teacher Resources:

This lesson was built upon the following Math Lesson at Utah Educational Network.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=6160

Related Online Math Activity
Patterns in Mathematics
What's My Function? This site is an interactive activity where students enter in two numbers and the function is a “mystery.” It is like a function machine and students can continue to try it with different numbers until they think they can solve it and then the computer tests them.

"Have students come to the board and draw an input/output T-chart with five rows. Then have each student write down the five numbers you call out on the input (left) column such as 5, 12, 18, 25, and 40. Remind students that the input is the number to which an operation rule is applied, and that the output number is the result of that operation. Next announce a rule such as “add 15” and have each player write the rule at the top of their chart. On a signal, the students fill in the output column using the rule, then turn and face the class. When both are finished have the class help you check their work. They could score one point for each correct answer and five points for whoever finishes first. Continue playing with different input numbers and different rules. This will help students feel comfortable with how these types of tables work. In addition, you could have students who are still in their seats do this activity in their math notebook"

Another reinforcement activity/online game
http://www.learner.org/teacherslab/math/patterns/mystery/

Tech Integration Lessons: Deep Learning of Grade 5 Mathematics with Google Spreadsheet

Students will

• Be able to write an algebraic expression to represent a rule or pattern
• Collect data from a pattern and organize it in a table of values using Input table output tables
• Transfer understanding of rules, patterns, to spreadsheet

Differentiation Activity

If some students need more practice grasping the concepts of input output tables before engaging in the spreadsheet implementation of this activity below, a teacher could differentiate instruction by having some students reinforce the visual manipulation of patterns using Inspiration, while those students who are ready could participate in the Google Spreadsheet activity.

• Group 1 – Students who still needs to visually manipulate the data to understand the pattern rules
  
  --Using Inspiration software, students can create patterns from exercises
  
• Group 2 – Students who seem to have grasp the basics of Input Output Tables
  
  --Predict and Check (See details on Exercise 1-3 below)
  
  Using spreadsheet templates created by their teacher students check their prediction for their output patterns. The spreadsheet has been designed to provide immediate feedback as to the accuracy of their prediction.
  
• Group 3 – Students who have mastered the concepts of input/output tables and are ready to apply their understanding.
  
  --Create algebraic formulas for spreadsheets that represent pattern or rules they create. Students will demonstrate the use of variables (See details on Exercise 4 – 5 below)

Using Google Spreadsheet to support the development of these mathematical concepts in Grade 5 Mathematics Instruction

Exercise 1 Figuring out the output data in a pattern given the rule

Have students Log on to Google Sreadsheet.
Open Exercise 1
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pXQVlLsMp0GqpBRMoZLDeRg
use tiny URL’s to help communicate the spreadsheets

This spreadsheet has an input/output T-Chart drawn in Google Spreadsheet with 10 rows
Teacher can write a rule in CELL _ on Master Sheet.
Then teacher should write the Formula that represents that Cell in CELL _
Teacher writes numbers in the input table cells.
Students complete the output table cells.
When they have the correct answers They enter “done” in the Chat window.
Variations (You can break the students up in teams and the teams get points for correct answers, and points for placement)

While the students are working on their table, teacher could work on the next exercise or have these ready ahead of time.

Excersise 2 Figuring out the Rules

This time the teacher adds a column in the IN box then the OUT Box
Add another number in the Inbox, and a number appears in the outbox
Have the students discuss the pattern they see in the chat window
Keep adding numbers in Inbox, then outbox.
As students feel comfortable that they know the pattern They should type their “rule” in CELL or the DISCUSS window

Note: change the spreadsheet slightly
So that the students “rule” appears in the Score area when the students has figured out the rules.

Exercise 3 Getting familiar with cell references in spreadsheets as they relate to patterns rules in algebra

Students who are ready, can practice building formulas by taking Steps 7 & 8 and adding the out cell reference to the diagram (circle) and the “in” cell reference to the diagram (squares).
This might help students see the spreadsheet’s potential to create models that business people use all the time.

Exercise 4 - Apply the formula/rule knowledge to creating a spreadsheet

What happens if you parents decided to increase your allowance this way
Take this year’s age and add half of this age’s This will be your new allowance for the year.
If they kept this up, what allowance would you be getting when you are 16? Create a fule that would allow you to predict the results of this type of "family" policy.

Exercise 5 (advanced) creating formulas in a spreadsheet is like creating a rule__

Hints (Could teach the spreadsheet equivalent) of writing a formula
/ * + -
Discuss cell references (see above)
Try to write a simple formula /rule for an outcome table
Copy the formula down all ten rows

Discuss why the cell reference (includes a number next to the variable letter (n)

If you do this right, you could use the same exercise as in Exercise 2, but this time you would have the students replace the output with a “rule” and see if they get the same answer. If this works have them copy the output rule all the way down. Do they get the same answer as the teacher!



Teacjer Prep work:

• Create the spreadsheets for the exercise. Save a Copy. Google Spreadsheet does not yet allow the "protect" feature of spreadsheets that would prevent your students from accidentally typing in cells you didn't want to to.
  
• Create the login accounts for the students
  I did discover that the same login was able to be used over and over in the lab, but it made the chat window adaptation confusing.
  Make sure never to use your original spreadsheets
  
  Here are two logins you can use