Overview

Students will compare prices to determine the best buy. They will collect data from
newspaper advertisements and enter the data on a spreadsheet and create a word
processing document complete with graphs to support their findings.

Concepts

• Students collect and organize data.
  
  
• Students enter data and formulas on ClarisWorks spreadsheet.
  
  
• Students use their spreadsheet to display results on a line graph.
  
  
• Students use ClarisWorks word processing program complete with graphs to communicate their results.
  

Indicators

• Students collect data.
  
  
• Students develop formulas to compute unit price.
  
  
• Students communicate their results in a written document.
  

Precomputer

• Review unit price.
  
  
• Collect data from newspaper ads.
  
  
• Review writing formulas for spreadsheets.
  

On the computer

• Input data into a spreadsheet document include formulas for computing the unit price.
  
• Using the Make Chart command, create a line graph.
  
  
• Using the ClarisWorks word processing program, students should discuss their findings. They should include their graphs to support their conclusion.
  

Postcomputer

• Students share their findings with group members. Class discussion focuses on how the spreadsheet program can be used in mathematics.