Module :

 Databases Classes : 5th & 6th

Lesson 1

 Constructing a Pet Database
.

Aims

  1. To teach children the vocabulary associated with “Pets”.

  2. To encourage the children to use this vocabulary orally, in class/group work.

  3. To show the children how this information can be readily organised using a database.

  4. To show how a set of record cards can be compiled to form a database.

  5. To show how information must be ordered to improve its usability.

Materials/Resources: Pictures of various animals, flashcards, a blank database template on paper with to construct one record (see attached worksheet).

Content / Methodology

The children will firstly be given the opportunity to hear, then acquire the vocabulary associated with this topic.

A class discussion, followed by pupil/teacher, pupil/pupil questioning will give the pupils the opportunity to use the newly acquired vocabulary.

Teacher designs a database on the blackboard using the information provided by the children about their pets. The fields can include Surname, First Name, Age, Sex, Pet, Species and Colour. The teacher can fill in the example on the blackboard using the data from one pupil.

 Pupils get a chance to fill in their own database record on the paper template provided.

Surname: First Name:
Age: Sex:
Pet: Pet’s Name:

 A discussion of the database and the need to order the record ‘cards’ alphabetically or numerically will be mentioned.

Worksheet 1 :

 

Name:  ____________         Class: ___________

My Pets
Surname : Sex :
First Name : Pet :
Age : Pet's Name :

 

Follow Up Activities

Pupils can put their cards together or make their own individual ‘packs’ of cards

Lesson 2

 Constructing a Pet Database
.

Aims

  1. To teach children the vocabulary associated with “Pets”.

  2. To encourage the children to use this vocabulary orally, in class/group work.

  3. To show the children how this information can be readily organised using a database.

  4. To show how a set of record cards can be represented by means of a single list.

  5. To show how information needs to be ordered in various ways to improve its usability.

Materials/Resources: Telephone directory, pictures of various animals, flashcards, a blank database template with a row for every pupil and a column for every field (see attached worksheet)

Content / Methodology

The children will be given another opportunity to hear, then acquire the vocabulary associated with this topic.

 A class discussion, followed by pupil/teacher, pupil/pupil questioning will give the pupils the opportunity to use the vocabulary.

 Teacher demonstrates on the blackboard how a database can be constructed using a single list with rows and columns. The pupils’ attention is drawn to the telephone directory as an example of a database presented in list format.

 Pupils get a chance to construct a database for the whole class on the worksheet provided.

The class concludes with a discussion of the various advantages and disadvantages of the record card and the list formats.

Worksheet 2

 

Name:       __________________              Class:    ________

 Our Pets
Surname First Name Age Sex Pet Pet's Name
           
           
           
           
           
           

 

Follow Up Activities

As a homework exercise, pupils can produce similar lists for countries, sports teams or data of their own choice

Lesson 3

 Creating a Database on Computer
.

Aims

  1. To open a database program (e.g Microsoft Access) and create a database.

  2. To enter field names and relevant data.

  3. To save a database on a floppy disk.

  4. To move between records and fields (using arrow keys or tab).

  5. To observe how the PC defines the primary key.

  6. To read information from the database.

  7. To give the children a further opportunity to practice the vocabulary learned in the previous lessons.

Materials/Resources: A copy of the attached instruction sheet for everyone

Content / Methodology

 

Instructions for Compiling a Database

You need

This list of instructions
A floppy Disk andThe information collected about the children in the class and their pets.
To begin

Start  then Programs then Microsoft Access then Click on Blank Database. Click OK
Save in:      3 1/2    Floppy (A:)
File Name:  Pets
Save as type:    Microsoft Access Databases (*.mdb)
Click Create. Click View. Click New.
Datasheet View will be highlighted. Click OK.
To enter field names

Double click on Field 1. Delete and type in field name: “Surname:”
Press Enter.
Double click on Field 2. Delete and type in field name: “First Name:”
Press Enter.
And so on.
Click x to close. Do you want to save changes to the design of table “Table 1” ?
Click Yes.
There is no primary key defined. Do you want to create a primary key now?
Click Yes. What happened?
To enter data

Open your table. Start to compile the table by entering the data.
You can do each record first (use tab or the right arrow key to enter the next field)
Or
You can do each field first (use the down arrow key to enter the next record).
Press x to close,

Following instructions on the attached sheet, the pupils will create their own table of class data based on the paper templates filled out in the previous lessons.

Both foreign language and database vocabulary will be revised orally ad in written format.

The pupils will take turns during the following week to enter the information, construct and save their own databases.

Follow Up Activities

The teacher could design worksheets to test the children’s ability to access, read and interpret the databases that they have produced.

Lesson 4

 Retrieving and Editing a Database
.

Aims

  1. To retrieve a database saved on a floppy disk.

  2. To create new fields (insert column) and field names.

  3. To insert a new record.

  4. To practice data entry and learn how to edit and replace text to reduce unnecessary typing.

  5. To examine alphabetical and numerical ordering, both ascending and descending.

  6. To sort the table according to various criteria e.g. alphabetical order, descending ages, pets, etc

Materials/Resources: Instruction sheets or poster on wall near computers.

Content / Methodology

Pupils will reopen their saved databases.

They will add in 3 new fields, for example: number of pets, number of brothers, number of sisters, etc.

To speed up data entry, the pupils will be advised and guided in using the Edit then Replace facility, e.g. substituting an initial letter in the field with the full word.

The pupils will add a new record and make up a character for the class or use the teacher’s details.

Having completed the table, they will need to carry out alphabetical sorts in ascending and descending order and a numerical sort in descending order.

Follow Up Activities

Pupils who have mastered the tasks to date can be allowed to suggest and begin to construct their own databases

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