
KS3 Excel Lesson 3 – Fun Into Functions!
Introduction to SUM, AVERAGE, MIN & MAX
Fully Dyslexia-Friendly | High Engagement | Updated for 2026
Bring Excel to life with this lively and accessible introduction to functions. Lesson 3 builds directly on students’ understanding of basic = calculations and introduces them to Excel’s most popular beginner functions in a clear, practical and confidence-building way.
All resources are fully dyslexia-friendly, using accessible fonts, soft pastel backgrounds, spacious layouts and colour-coded examples to support all learners, including SEND and lower-ability students.
What Students Will Learn
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What a function is and how it differs from basic calculations
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How to use core Excel functions:
- =SUM()
- =AVERAGE()
- =MIN()
- =MAX()
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How to use brackets and ranges (e.g. A1:A5)
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How cell references work inside functions
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How changing data automatically updates results
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Why functions are used in real-world spreadsheets
Lesson Activities
- Clear modelling of each function with step-by-step examples
- Guided practice calculating totals, averages and highest/lowest values
- Real-world style data sets (scores, spending, points tables, etc.)
- Exploring ranges and selecting multiple cells efficiently
- “What happens if…?” modelling tasks where students change numbers to observe automatic updates
- Screenshot evidence tasks for assessment
- Extension challenge: combine multiple functions in one spreadsheet
Why Teachers Choose This Lesson
- Fully dyslexia-friendly formatting throughout
- High engagement through practical, relatable examples
- Clear scaffolding for mixed-ability groups
- Minimal writing, maximum hands-on practice
- Ready-to-teach with slides, worksheets and editable Excel files included
- Builds strong foundations for logic and modelling in later lessons
By the End of the Lesson, Students Will Be Able To
- Use SUM, AVERAGE, MIN and MAX confidently
- Apply functions using cell ranges and references
- Understand how functions automate calculations
- Recognise real-world uses of spreadsheet modelling
- Feel confident moving from simple formulas to structured functions
Lesson 3 moves students from basic calculations into the powerful world of functions, strengthening their spreadsheet confidence while keeping learning accessible, structured and engaging.
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