Microsoft Excel for Beginners: The Pet Sitting Project

During this class, students will learn the basic functions of Microsoft Excel and get hands-on practice. We will begin by discussing real-world uses for Excel and related vocabulary. We will then dive in and begin using the program. 

In this class, students will imagine they are starting their very own pet-sitting company!  In order to manage multiple animals' appointments, they will create a printable schedule using Excel. Next, they will create a basic revenue statement in order to track how much their business has earned.

This class will not only teach the basics of Excel, but it will excite students to discover ways they can use Excel in their everyday lives. The class will also teach basic entrepreneurship concepts.  I will share my screen so students can watch me using the program as I describe its functions.  Students should have Microsoft Excel on their computer prior to starting class, so they can use the program and follow along as I teach the class.  As time allows, the students will have the ability to share their screen in order to ask questions and share their work.  

Students do not need any experience with Excel, but should have basic desktop or laptop knowledge, such as the ability to use a mouse, use a keyboard and open a program.

Excel Version:
I will be demonstrating with an installed version of Excel. However, some students are able to use an online version available at Microsoft.com, which will also work well for learners during class. In order to maximize class time for all students, please ensure your learner is signed into Excel before class begins. I will be using a PC but can adjust my instructions for Apple/Mac users.

Topics covered will include:
•	Vocabulary (cell, column, row, worksheet, formula, revenue, sum)
•	Organizing data
•	Auto-populating cells
•	Gridlines
•	Formatting cells (color, dates, time, currency)
•	Sum function

Troubleshooting during class:
Occasionally, learners may need additional help in completing a task in Excel. I am able to give students the ability to share their screen so that I can see exactly what they are looking at. Usually, this works very well, and I am able to talk them through the task. (This will not work if the learner is using Excel on a separate device than their Outschool class.) If the learner is still not able to complete the task, I am able to explain how they can grant me remote access so that I can complete the task for them. This allows us to move and cover all material in the class. If the learner is not able to grant remote access, I will ask they skip the step we are troubleshooting, and we will move on. At the end of class, I will revisit the skipped step and further troubleshoot with the learner.