Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Financial Mathematics: Spreadsheets

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage aims to clearly establish the learning goals for the lesson, ensuring that both the teacher and the students are aligned regarding the competencies that will be developed. This initial clarity is essential for directing the practical activities and subsequent discussions, ensuring effective classroom time utilization and meaningful learning of the proposed content.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to use spreadsheets, such as Excel, for creating household budgets.

2. Develop skills for analyzing and comparing options for installment purchases versus cash purchases, using discounts.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage serves to engage students and connect them with the content they have previously studied. Through problem situations, students are encouraged to think critically and apply their prior knowledge to solve practical challenges. The contextualization helps to establish the relevance of the learning, showing how the content can be applied in the real world and the importance of mastering these skills.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are planning to buy a new computer. You have the option to pay in cash with a 15% discount or to pay the total amount in 12 installments without interest. How would you decide which option is more advantageous using a spreadsheet?

2. Consider that your family needs to create a monthly budget to better control finances. How would you use an Excel spreadsheet to categorize spending and identify where savings can be made?

Contextualization

Understanding and applying financial mathematics in everyday situations is an essential skill. From choosing the best payment option when purchasing products to planning a family budget, effective use of spreadsheets can transform how we manage our finances. The use of spreadsheets for financial management began in the 1980s with the introduction of software like Excel, which revolutionized the financial and business sectors, making the analysis of large data volumes accessible and practical.

Development

Duration: (80 - 85 minutes)

The development stage is designed to allow students to practically and creatively apply their prior knowledge in financial mathematics, using spreadsheets to simulate real budgeting situations and financial decision-making. The proposed activities encourage collaboration, research, and critical thinking, preparing students for everyday challenges and increasing their confidence in using technology tools in financial contexts.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Budget Supermarket: The Discounts Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop financial analysis skills using discounts and basic investment concepts, as well as promote teamwork.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups, and each group will receive a shopping list for a fictitious supermarket. Each item on the list will have two purchase options: cash with a discount or installments without interest. Students will use an Excel spreadsheet to calculate which option provides more savings at the end of the year, considering a scenario where the money saved by paying in cash could be invested with an annual return.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Provide each group with a fictitious shopping list with cash and installment prices.

• Instruct students to create a spreadsheet to compare the total costs of each payment option.

• Ask them to include a column to calculate potential investment returns with the money saved from the cash option.

• Groups must present their findings and the spreadsheet used to the class.

Activity 2 - Planned Party: Budget in Action

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Practice financial planning and decision-making skills in a fun and relatable context.

- Description: Students, in groups, will have the challenge of planning a party with a limited budget. They will need to allocate resources to different categories such as food, decoration, and entertainment, using an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of expenses and ensure they do not exceed the budget. The activity will include decisions about cutting or keeping items based on their priorities and the impact on the overall budget.

- Instructions:

• Organize the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Give each group a fictitious fixed budget for organizing a party.

• Ask them to categorize expenses and decide where to invest more or cut costs.

• Use Excel to monitor all expenses and adjustments.

• Each group must justify their choices and demonstrate how they managed to stay within budget.

Activity 3 - Dream Trip: Planning and Saving

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop research, financial planning, and technology use skills to solve real budgeting problems.

- Description: This activity proposes that students plan a dream trip with a predetermined budget. They should research prices for tickets, accommodation, and activities, and use an Excel spreadsheet to organize all the information and make smart financial choices that allow them to enjoy the trip without exceeding the budget.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into small groups.

• Provide each group with a fixed budget and a list of possible destinations.

• Instruct students to research prices for flights, accommodations, and tourist activities.

• Ask them to use Excel to organize data and plan the trip.

• Groups must present the planned itinerary and the cost spreadsheet.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to allow students to reflect on the practical use of spreadsheets in real financial situations and discuss how technological tools can assist in financial management. This discussion helps to consolidate learning by allowing students to articulate what they have learned and hear different perspectives from their peers, which can enrich their understanding and application of knowledge.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, conduct a group discussion so that everyone can share their experiences and learnings. Start the discussion with a brief introduction: 'Now that everyone has had the opportunity to work with spreadsheets and apply financial mathematics to practical situations, let's share our discoveries. Each group will present their spreadsheet and explain the decisions made during the activities. I'm interested in hearing about the challenges you encountered and what you learned in the process.'

Key Questions

1. What were the main challenges when using the spreadsheet to solve the proposed problems?

2. How did the use of spreadsheets aid in financial decision-making during the activities?

3. What skills do you think you developed by carrying out this work?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to consolidate the lesson's learning by reviewing the main points covered. It allows students to reflect on the applicability of the learned concepts and understand the importance of integrating financial mathematics skills and technology into their daily lives. This reflection helps solidify the content and value the skills developed during practical activities.

Summary

In this lesson on Financial Mathematics and the use of spreadsheets, students learned to use Excel for managing personal budgets and comparing purchasing options, such as cash versus installment payments. They applied these concepts in practical activities that simulated real situations, such as organizing an event, planning a trip, and analyzing purchases.

Theory Connection

The connection between theory and practice was established through the direct application of financial mathematics concepts in spreadsheet activities. Students not only reviewed theoretical knowledge but also applied it to solve practical problems, demonstrating the utility of electronic spreadsheets in everyday life.

Closing

We discussed how the ability to use electronic spreadsheets for financial management is essential in daily life, helping organize personal finances, make informed decisions about purchases and investments, and optimize budgets. These skills are fundamental for financial education and personal autonomy.