The ability to use spreadsheet software, such as Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel, is one of the most sought after skills in today's workforce. Spreadsheets are a powerful tool to store, sort, and analyze large amounts of data. But why wait until your child is an adult about to enter the workforce to learn about spreadsheets when middle schoolers have all the math knowledge they need to learn about spreadsheets NOW? 

In this 8-week FLEX course, students will be applying their math skills to create functional spreadsheets. These skills include adding and subtracting, calculating ratios, working with percentages, creating and solving equations, and much more. In addition to these basic math skills, students will also learn spreadsheet skills such as formatting cells, sorting data, making charts, and exploring the preset functions in Google Sheets. Below are a list of topics we will cover in this FLEX course - each week will build upon skills learned in the previous week. 

Week 1: Batttlesheets! (Formatting Cells)

Week 2: Magic Squares (SUM Function)

Week 3: Planning a Trip to a Foreign Country (Converting Between Units)

Week 4: Tax/Tip/Discount Calculator (Percent Increase/Decrease)

Week 5:  Credit Cards and Debt (Rates and Calculating Large Data Sets)

Week 6: Invest Your Money NOW! (Rates and Calculating Large Data Sets)

Week 7: Buying a Car with a Simple Interest Loan (Complex Equations)

Week 8: Pixel Art Puzzle (Advanced Conditional Formatting)

This course will primarily use Google Sheets. However, if your child prefers to work with Excel, the content will still be applicable. Each week I will post a video demonstrating the process of building a spread that meets each week's learning goal. If needed, I will also review any basic math skills that would be helpful in implementing an equation or function in spreadsheets. I will also post a short "Help the Student" question to target common mistakes students might make with their spreadsheet. These questions will serve as discussion forums between the students in the FLEX course. 

"You need to learn spreadsheets...if you want to Excel in life."