
KS3 Excel Lesson 2 – “Cheating at Maths!” Using Basic Calculations & Cell Referencing (Dyslexia-Friendly | High Engagement | Perfect Follow-On Lesson)
Keep the fun, accessible tone going with this second Excel lesson, where students learn how spreadsheets let you “cheat at maths” simply by typing = and using cell references. No functions yet — just clear, confidence-building calculations using Excel’s most essential skills.
All materials are fully dyslexia-friendly, using accessible fonts, soft colour palettes, clean spacing and high-contrast headings to support every learner.
What students will learn (Lesson 2):
- Basic Spreadsheet Calculations — Students use =A1 + B1, =C3 - C2, =D4 * 10, and =E5 / 2 to perform instant calculations.
- Using Cell Referencing — Pupils understand how formulas change when values change, reinforcing the power of modelling.
- Applying Maths Questions in Excel — Students use cell references to solve simple maths questions automatically (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
- Why modelling matters — When one number changes, the entire calculation updates — demonstrating the “cheating at maths” idea in a fun and memorable way.
Why this resource stands out on TES:
- ✔ Fully dyslexia-friendly design — OpenDyslexic (or similar) font, pastel backgrounds, structured spacing, colour-coded examples, and clutter-free layout.
- ✔ High engagement angle — The “Excel is cheating at maths” theme gets instant buy-in, even from reluctant learners.
- ✔ Perfect for mixed ability KS3 groups — Highly scaffolded steps, example formulas, guided practice, and stretch challenges.
- ✔ Error-proof tasks — Students can’t “break” anything; they simply change numbers and see results update.
- ✔ Ready to teach — Teacher slides + worksheet + editable spreadsheet provided.
By the end of the lesson, students can:
- Confidently type = formulas to calculate answers
- Use cell referencing instead of typing numbers manually
- Understand why spreadsheets are modelling tools
- Apply these skills to real maths-style questions in Excel
A smooth, supportive follow-up to the Battleships lesson — giving KS3 learners the foundations they need before moving on to formulas and functions in Lesson 3.
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