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Year 6

Event planning using a spreadsheet

I can use a spreadsheet to plan an event.

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New
New
Year 6

Event planning using a spreadsheet

I can use a spreadsheet to plan an event.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Spreadsheets are useful as planning tools.
  2. A budget is a value of money that can be spent as part of a plan.
  3. Subtotals are used to work out overall totals in smaller steps.

Keywords

  • Budget - an amount of money planned to be spent

  • Subtotal - a part of an overall total based on some of the values

Common misconception

Spreadsheets make planning an event more difficult as you have to enter data and use formulas.

Spreadsheets make planning an event easier as they have useful tools that save you work and allow you to make changes. You can use spreadsheets to model changes to the event and instantly recalulate all the important information.


To help you plan your year 6 computing lesson on: Event planning using a spreadsheet, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

additional-material

File needed for this lesson

  • Party planning spreadsheet - Task B 85.59 KB (XLSX)
The context for this lesson is easily changed. It helps to find a context appropraite to your school and pupils. If they can see the practical implications of using a spreadsheet to plan they are more likely to reuse the software for similar tasks in the future.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pupils need access to spreadsheet software.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these steps for dealing with data in the correct order.
1 - Data is collected.
2 - Data is organised.
3 - Data is analysed.
Q2.
What symbol is used to start a formula in a spreadsheet?
Correct Answer: =, equal, equals sign
Q3.
What do you call a group of cells used in a formula?
Correct Answer: range
Q4.
Write the formula to subtract cell A5 from B8.
Correct Answer: =B8-A5
Q5.
What does the SUM function do in a spreadsheet?
multiplies cells
divides cells
Correct answer: adds cells
subtracts cells
Q6.
What does the term 'replicate' mean in the context of spreadsheets?
Correct answer: Copy a formula to other cells.
Delete a formula.
Create a graph.
Format text.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms with their definitions.
Correct Answer:replicate,copying formulas to other cells
tick

copying formulas to other cells

Correct Answer:SUM function,something that adds up numbers
tick

something that adds up numbers

Correct Answer:cell reference,something that identifies a specific cell
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something that identifies a specific cell

Correct Answer:budget,an amount of money planned to be spent
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an amount of money planned to be spent

Correct Answer:subtotal,a part of an overall total
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a part of an overall total

Correct Answer:formula,something that performs calculations
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something that performs calculations

Q2.
How do spreadsheets make planning an event easier?
by making data entry more difficult
Correct answer: by providing useful tools and allowing changes
by eliminating the need for budgets
by automatically planning everything
Q3.
What is the smallest unit of data storage in a spreadsheet where you can enter information?
Correct Answer: cell
Q4.
What does it mean to replicate a formula in a spreadsheet?
to delete the formula
to create a graph from the formula
Correct answer: to copy the formula to multiple cells, with cell references adjusting as needed
to change the font of the formula
Q5.
Why do people create budgets?
to increase their income automatically
Correct answer: to manage and control their spending
to avoid planning for future expenses
to eliminate the need for financial records
Q6.
Order these steps for using a spreadsheet when budgeting.
1 - Create a new spreadsheet.
2 - Set goals for the budget.
3 - Enter expenses.
4 - Calculate subtotals and totals.
5 - Analyse results.