Computing · Stage 4

Spreadsheets

Coding & Systems · data — use cells, rows and a simple sum, where a spreadsheet adds the numbers for you

✦ Computing📘 Stage 4 · S4⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 8–9★ Free to start

I can use cells, rows and a simple sum.

📖

Kavi Counts Acorns in a Spreadsheet

Kavi collected acorns for three days and wanted to add them up. "I'll use a spreadsheet," said Kavi — "a grid of little boxes called cells." Kavi typed one number in each cell, all in a line across: 3, then 5, then 2. A line of cells going across is a row. "Now for the clever part," Kavi hooted. In the next cell Kavi typed =SUM and the spreadsheet did a simple sum all by itself: 10. "It added my whole row for me!" cheered Kavi.

🎓

What your child will learn

1Cells, rows and columnsA spreadsheet is a grid of little boxes. Each box is a cell, and each cell holds one thing — a number or a word. Cells in a line going across make a row. Cells in a line going up and down make a column. Tap each part to hear its job.

2Add by hand, or let the spreadsheet add?You could add the numbers in a row yourself, in your head. But a spreadsheet can do the simple sum for you with =SUM — and if you change a number, it works out the new total straight away.

3How to make a simple sumMaking a total in a spreadsheet is a little program — steps in order. Press ▶ Run and watch Kavi add a row of numbers.

🔍

A peek inside

Kavi's row has these cells: 3, 5, 2. What simple sum does the spreadsheet show for the row?

a simple sum adds every number in the row: 3 + 5 + 2

Try this at home: A grid of little boxes you use to hold numbers and words is a ____.

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Computing · Stage 4 · S4 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.