Nutritional Value Unit Integrated with Microsoft Works

This unit is an example of how to integrate technology into the curriculum to alleviate teaching it in isolation. Students will use Microsoft Works to compare and analyze nutritional values from nonperishable food items.

A lesson plan for grades 4–5 Mathematics

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• compare the nutritional values provided on food labels by using Microsoft Works to analyze the data.
• create a database and enter nutritional value information.
• use filtering and sorting to manipulate the database.
• copy information from the database to a spreadsheet to create graphs.
• use word processing to create a report summarizing their findings.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

3 hours

Materials/resources

• A food pantry of nonperishable items
• Create A Database Handout
• Create A Spreadsheet Handout
• Tips for Sorting and Filtering Handout
• Questions for Manipulating the Database Handout

Technology resources

A Computer in Your Classroom or A Computer Lab
Microsoft Works

Pre-activities

This activity is an integrated unit on nutrition. Students need to understand how to read a food label and they need to know the vocabulary associated with food labels.

Students need to know how to use Microsoft Works. This unit can be used to introduce and teach Microsoft Works while integrating it with the curriculum.

Activities

This activity can be done in the classroom on a single computer or you can do this in a lab with an entire class.

1. Bring in Food Items
   Have students bring in nonperishable food items. You can use canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned soup, spaghetti sauce, cereal, and junk food. The database can contain information about one food group or one type of food or can be a combination of foods. By using filtering techniques with the database, you can use a combination of foods and isolate only the food at which you want to look.
2. Create a Database
   Show students how to create a database. Discuss the restrictions for naming fields and how to go back and make corrections. Students need to know how to edit a database. Give students the How To Create A Database Handout. I have included very detailed instructions in my handouts. You may want to edit and condense these depending on what your students already know.
3. Enter Information in the Database
   Each student can enter information from the product that he/she contributed. You can also have a “Database Master” who is responsible for data input. You can have students build the database in your classroom and then have copies of the database available for everyone to use in a computer lab to manipulate and analyze the data as a class if you have a computer lab available. If you do not have access to a computer lab, allow students to work individually or in groups at the computer in your classroom to complete the assignment.
4. Answer Questions about the Database
   Depending on the database you build, you will need to create a set of questions for students to answer. You may also opt to have students design the questions themselves. I encourage you to use questions that build higher order thinking skills. You can also integrate math skills into this unit by having students sort the database to find range, median, and mode. I have included a sample list of questions to get you started.
5. Create a Spreadsheet and Graphs
   Show students how to create and edit graphs using a spreadsheet. Give students the How to Create a Spreadsheet Handout. Students will copy data from the database to the spreadsheet and then create their own graphs.
6. Analyze the Graphs
   Students can use the word processor in Microsoft Works to write a report summarizing their findings as a result of having graphed the nutritional information. Students can copy and paste the graphs from the spreadsheet into their word processed documents and print them as a final product for assessment.

Assessment

• Completed Database
• Completed Spreadsheet
• Completed Graphs
• Completed Questions from Database Manipulation
• Word Processed Report Summarizing Graph Analysis

Supplemental information

Attachments were created using Microsoft Works for Mac and are saved as RTF. The instructions given are specifically for a Macintosh computer but can be easily adapted to other platforms.

The attached Database.wps file gives specific instructions for creating the database to be used with this assignment as well as general instructions for using a database.

For specific instructions to complete the spreadsheet assignments for this activity, use the Spreadsh.wps file attached to this lesson plan. This information can be easily adapted to include any fields in the database. Additional information is also given for the general use of spreadsheets.

You may find it useful to print a copy of the SortFilt.wps file and keep it by the computer. This will help students remember how to sort and filter in a database. These instructions are from the Help Menu in Microsoft Works for Mac.

The Question.wps file that I have attached will need to be adjusted to meet your needs based on the content of your database.

Related websites

Food and Nutrition Information Center
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/
USDA Nurtrient Values
http://www.rahul.net/cgi-bin/fatfree/usda/usda.cgi

Comments

The Relevant Web Sites listed can be used to supplement this activity or in place of establishing a food pantry if necessary.

You may also want to take a field trip to the grocery store with your students to obtain pricing information for your database.

This activity can also result in a community service project. Collect the food and then donate it to your local soup kitchen or Salvation Army.

If you do a database about spaghetti sauce, for example, you could have a class lunch. Recruit a few parents to help and invite them to eat with you. You can also use this opportunity to show parents all the neat graphs, databases, and reports that students have created using the computer.