Candy is Dandy

Summary: This lesson shows students the benefits of using graphs to communicate information, answer questions, and solve problems as they investigate color distribution in bags of M&M's. Working with actual bags of candy, students will sort and classify contents, summarize their findings on a worksheet, convert the numbers into charts, and make predictions about color distribution in other bags of candy.

Objectives: To introduce students to the concept of graphing, record color distribution in spreadsheet format, and utilize information obtained through hands on research and analysis to write a report.

To meet the current technology benchmarks concerning the use of a spreadsheet and database program.

Review the following terms with the students before completing this activity.

Terms:

Cell: Intersection of a row and a column

Formula: an entry in a cell that returns a calculated result.

Database: A systematic collection of information comprised of records (rows) and fields (columns).

Spreadsheet: A generic term for a product such as Excel that is used to track and calculate data

Directions:

1. Open a worksheet in Microsoft Excel.

2. In cell A1, type the title "Candy is Dandy"! You'll notice that the words do not fit in the cell. Place the cursor on the line between column A and B, then double click. What does this do? __________________________________________________ 3.  Type the heading Colors in cell A3.

4.  In cell B3, type Bag 1. In cell C3, type Bag 2 . In cell D3, type Bag 3. In cell E3, type Bag 4.

5. You can add a comment to a cell that will appear when you place           the cursor in the cell. Click in the cell that you want the comment to appear in. In this case, B3. Click on the Insert menu and choose Comment. Type in the box, _____M&M's are my favorite. Now anytime you move your cursor over that cell, the comment will appear.

6. In column A, beginning in cell A4, list all of the colors of M&M's you found in your bags.

7. We want the colors to appear in alphabetical order. You do this by highlighting the cells you want to sort. Choose sort from the data menu. Make sure that " Continue with current selection" is highlighted.

8. Type Total in the cell A10..

9.  Enter the number of M&M's found in the bags in the corresponding cells.

10. We want to total up our columns. There are a couple of ways that we can do this.

 a). The first way we are going to total the cells is by using a  formula. First, click in the cell where you want the total to appear. Click on the = sign on the line above the columns. Click on the button that says SUM. In the field by Number 1, click on the button that has the Excel chart. Click and drag to highlight cells you want to include. You will see a formula appear next to the equal sign =(SUM B4:B9). Click on the Excel button when you are finished. Check your formula so that you are sure thatthe cells you want to include are included. Click OK.

Or

 b). We can use something called the AutoSum feature. It looks like this on your toolbar:

11. We will want to follow the same steps for all of the cells in row 10 that are in columns with headings. Or we can  highlight the cells B10-E10, choose Fill from the Edit menu and then right. This automatically totals the rest of the columns so you do not have to use AutoSum for each cell.

12. You can use this information to make graphs and charts. Choose chart from the Insert menu. This will give you a choice of the type of chart you want to put in your document.