Spreadsheets in the Classroom

This week we learned about spreadsheets, and how to use them. I can think of many ways to use spreadsheets in my future classroom, especially for math. The graphs are on the spreadsheets are a great tool. Instead of having to draw all these graphs, all the students will have to do is organize the data on an Excel sheet, and a perfect graph is made. Actually multiple graphs of all sizes, shapes, colors, and configurations can be made. In the second grade math core, students are to be able to identify parts of wholes. Spreadsheets are a perfect way to show that 18 students make up one whole class, just by a simple formula on an Excel sheet. Or they can make their own shapes and shade them, right on the computer, it's instant and it's accurate. I know when I try and draw a perfect circle and then divide it into four equal parts, it doesn't always work out so well. But if one makes a circle on Excel, then has it divided into four parts, it will be perfect. Another standard requires the students to model two and three digits with decimal points out to the one hundredths place. On Excel it has a button that does decimal places, and it will even write the number out in words, what a fun way for the students to learn and practice. I could go on with ways I could use spreadsheets in the classroom, but the one thing I know I will use them for is for grading. The students will not be using this as a resource, but it will sure make my life a whole lot easier. I have used spreadsheets many times in life, for my summer job at the county office, in my school career thus far, and I know I will continue to use them far into the future.