Spreadsheet+Lesson

Spreadsheet Supported Lesson
Spreadsheet Supported Lesson Plan ETEC 5303 Instructor: Scott Wright Lesson: Can You Afford Your Dream Home?

Introduction
This spreadsheet lesson is a culminating activity for a unit on percents. The percents should be automatically calculated (9% for the tax rate and 12% for the interest rate). Students will select the type of dream house they wish to buy with all of the options added. They could purchase an older home which would reduce their monthly payment. After tax and discounts are calculated students can begin adjusting their monthly payment by the number of years needed to finance the dream house. Guidelines will be given by the teacher as to how much they can spend monthly which corresponds to their class grade.

Students will need the first week of computer use to research the list price of their dream house and all of the extras they want on the house. The end of the first week will also be used to learn how to use spreadsheets and then create their own specific spreadsheet for their house. The teacher will act as their “financial adviser” letting them know the tax rate, discount rate, finance rate and affordability of their monthly payment. The second week will require students to rework their spreadsheet to make their dream house more affordable. Each student will conduct a presentation on his or her dream house at the end of the two week period.

Grade Level:
10th-12th Grade Students - Economics, Mathematics

Objectives
The students will input the house, it’s list price and options they want on their home from their homework research. Students will skip the years old column for a discount the first time calculating by hand. After the spreadsheet calculates the tax, and arrives at a principal for the loan, then the number of years of financing will be selected. After manipulating these columns, then the student may lower the list price by choosing an older home or choosing less options or even choosing a different house. The goal is for them to be able to afford a monthly payment based on their grade.

Materials:

 * Access to a computer with an Internet connection
 * Access to a computer with a spreadsheet application
 * Ability to research information for data collection
 * Access to Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation tool

Grouping:
Students will work individually on this project. Students will share their results with other students at the conclusion of the project.

Duration:
10 Class periods, 50 minutes each

Learning Activities:

 * Day 1 and 2 - Students discuss in class what the essentials for a dream home would include. Next, they do internet research to find the price of their dream house and extras they want.
 * Day 3 - Students practice making a spreadsheet with directions from teacher for calculating formulas, and making charts. The teacher will also change data to see results in the monthly payment.
 * Day 4 - Students make their own spreadsheet showing the Dream Home with all extras added, tax calculated, closing costs and financing set up, ending with a monthly payment.
 * Day 5 - Students adjust the data to include a discount when realizing the monthly payment is too high. This is determined by the financial adviser's input i.e. grade in class (A=$2000, B=$1500, C=$1000, D=$750). Also, years of financing is used to manipulate the payment downward.
 * Day 6 - Students practice making charts and line graphs with teacher directions to show what changes in data has on the line graphs and charts.
 * Day 7 - Students make their own charts and line graphs showing changes in years financing, discounts and price of house.
 * Day 8 and 9 - Students individually create a slideshow presentation showing internet pictures of their dream house, spreadsheet calculations, and line graphs
 * Day 10 - Students present their "Dream Home" presentations to class and summarizes how price, tax rates, interest rates and years of financing all effect affordability of homes.

Diversity:
Students will be able to discuss their findings from the project and support their opinions about the concept of taxes, interest rates, and financing. The different backgrounds of the different participants should fuel a lively debate and challenge learners' ideas on sales tax and interest rates.

Assessment:
Students research on the Internet to find base prices of dream home and the extras that they want. Teacher gives instructions on the construction of the basic spreadsheet. Teacher additionally supplies the parameters of tax rates, interest rates, and discount rates as a “financial adviser”. Students also work on creating and presenting a "Dream Home" project to entire class on the final day of the lesson.