Steers Need Hay for the Winter: Spreadsheets to the

Rescue!

Paula Keesling Nettlecreek School Corporation,

Hagerstown, IN

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Steers Need Hay for the WinterThe winter is going to be long and there will not be any grass for the cattle from October

until at least April and maybe longer, and we need to figure how much hay to buy for them to last through the winter months. I know a few things to help us solve this problem.• It takes 24 mo. for a steer to reach 1200 lbs. (That is how big we want them to get.) A

newborn calf will weigh approximately 100 lbs.• A steer will eat 3% of his body weight every day.• A round bale of hay weighs about 900 lbs., but the cattle waste about 10% of it. Round

bales cost $30 each.• A square bale of hay weighs about 50 lbs., and they eat all of it. Square bales cost $4 each.

We are keeping six steers over the winter. Here are their ages in October. Three are 9 months old. Two are 14 months old. One is 22 months old and will be sold as soon as he reaches 1200 lbs.

You need to decide how much hay should be purchased to feed the steers all winter based on the information given. Use a spreadsheet program to help you calculate your answer. Write a letter to the owner (Gary) to let him know how much hay he should buy. Be sure to justify your recommendation and be sure to include the paper showing all of your math so he can follow your thinking.Problem written by Paula Keesling for advanced sixth grade.

What do I need to find out?

Ideas to begin: What questions do I have?

Clear Procedure Procedure is not very clear.3 pts

Procedure is mostly clear, but reader is unsure in some areas. 4 pts

Procedure is clear and easy to follow.5 pts.

Mathematics Accurate

Many errors in mathematics3 pts

Some math errors but they are minor and do not drastically affect outcome of problem. 4 pts.

Very minor or no errors in mathematics.5 pts.

Spreadsheet utilized appropriately for problem

Layout of spreadsheet program only used to organize data or very minimal use of formulas for calculation.1 pt.

Most calculations for problem completed using formulas in spreadsheet program and most are accurate.2 pts.

Excellent use of formulas in spreadsheet program to solve problem efficiently and accurately.3 pts

Letter shows good reasoning

Letter is missing some important explanation or reasoning.3 pts.

Letter has some good reasoning, but is missing some explanation for complete understanding.4 pts.

Excellent letter with good reasoning and support of your proposal.5 pts.

Class time used well solving problem

Time not used well on several occasions.1 pt.

Most of your time was well used and productive.2 pts.

Excellent use of time throughout problem solution.3 pts.

6th Grade MathSteers Need Hay for the Winter

Student name______________________________

Ideas for Creating Spreadsheet Problems

Additional Resources

• Middleschool.net - Ultimate Middle School, Home School and Lesson Plan Resource

• National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

• Please take time to evaluate this presentation at www.league.org/stemtech/evaluation/.