Math with Candies PowerPoint Presentation

Grade Levels: 3 - 5

This Project

In this project, your students will predict the number of each color of candies they find in a package of multicolored candy. They will record their results and then collect data on the actual number of each candy color. They will graph these results on a PowerPoint slide.

Computer Skills

• Using spreadsheets in PowerPoint
• Creating graphs in PowerPoint

Before Beginning

• Review with your students how to read and create bar graphs.
• Explain that they are going to predict the number of each color of candy in their package before opening it. Tell them they need to record their predictions on the Student Planning Page.
• This project can be completed individually, in pairs, or in small groups.
• Show students how to locate the Math template for this project.

Quick Steps

• Open PowerPoint and select the (Math) template.
• Add a title to the slide.
• Change the background color of the slide.
• Double-click to access the spreadsheet.
• Enter the predicted data on Line 1.
• Enter the actual data on Line 2.
• Click back on the main screen to see the graph.
• Change the background colors of the bar graph.
• Save and print.

Procedure

Step 1:  Open the Math PowerPoint template. This template is intended for readers who have a version of PowerPoint residing on their computer. This template does not contain the software application itself. You will be able to read the template file if you are using PowerPoint 97 for Windows, PowerPoint 98 for Macintosh, or a later version. If you do not have this software application, CLICK HERE to download PowerPoint Viewer 2007.

Step 2:  Template files are meant for you to open and immediately save under another name some where on your desktop, hard drive, or floppy diskette. So, if you open a template file, before entering any text or data, click on the FILE menu and select Save As. Navigate to where you want to save your file, rename it, and then click on the Save button. Then you can begin entering text and data.

Step 3:  Move the mouse over "Click to add title." Click once and type a title for your graph.

Step 4:  If you are using a PC, move your mouse over the graph and double-click to access the datasheet. If you are using a Mac, click on the chart, then select Edit, Chart Object and Open.

Step 5:  On the PC, a datasheet will appear on the screen. On the Mac, both a datasheet and a chart will appear: click on the datasheet. Move your mouse to cell A1, click on it and enter your prediction for Red.

Step 6:  Use the arrow keys to move to cell B1. Enter your prediction for Orange.

Step 7:  Repeat Step 6 to enter all your predictions in Line 1.

Step 8:  Use the arrow keys to move to cell A2. Enter the actual amount of red candies you found in your package.

Step 9:  Move to cell B2. Enter the actual amount of orange candies you found in your package.

Step 10:  Repeat Step 9 for all the colors you actually found in your package of candy.

Step 11:  On the PC, move your mouse back to the original slide and click to update the graph. To close the datasheet, click the X in its upper right hand corner. On the Mac, Choose FILE and select Quit and Return to Math with Candies.ppt.

Step 12:  Pull down the FORMAT menu and select Background. From the Background Fill pop-up menu, pull down the arrow and select More Colors.

Step 13:  A honeycomb of colors will appear. Use your mouse to select a color and click OK. Click Apply to All.

Step 14:  Click on the graph. Pull down the FORMAT menu and select Object. From this pop-up window, you can change the background color of your graph and of the lines on the graph.

Step 15:  Pull down the FILE menu and select Save As. Give your file the name (Candies your initials).

Step 16:  Pull down the FILE menu and select Print. Click OK (PC) or Print (Mac).