How to Incorporate Spreadsheet Software into the Algebra Lab Manual

Wish your students were able to use a spreadsheet for graphing, generating an equation, and analyzing data? Then this “How to Guide” is just what you are looking for today. I will demonstrate how I taught my students to develop techniques of graphing data, analyze their graph, generate an equation for the “line of best fit” known as a “trendline”, and make predictions for future possible event outcomes based upon this information. This guide could be applied to classrooms starting with grade 5 to develop Algebraic thinking and improve each student’s skills in mathematics. The earlier we start instructing our students in higher order thinking, the better our scores on standardized tests and ratings in the job market.