Tag: database

4th Grade Google Forms & Databases

The database technology requirement often presents a quandary for teachers because we don’t have a database program per se on the computers anymore. However, a database is really just a collection of data that is organized into different categories, much like a spreadsheet. The key elements of a database are that it usually includes a form for entering the data, and the data can be sorted and filtered to show you exactly the information you want. So your students CAN make a database using Google Forms. That’s what we did today in Ms. Filer’s 4th grade class at Holladay Elementary. After building a sample form with the students, I showed them how to create their own form. Each student chose a topic of his or her interest, built the form using a variety of question types, and then travelled around the room filling out their friends’ forms. Next I showed them how they could access their data in Google Docs and sort and filter it. You can take a look at some students’ forms by clicking on the names below (and go ahead and fill out a couple if you want… the students will love it!)
Alex’s Pet Database
Skylar’s Field Trip Database
Joshua’s Toy Database
Emma’s Favorite Singer Database
Andrew’s Best SOL Test Database




1st Grade Wild Tame Spreadsheet

Even first graders can do spreadsheets! On this spreadsheet students identify wild and tame animals (SOL 1.5) They also tell where the animals live, what kinds of body coverings they have, and how they move. There is no typing involved, just selecting the correct information. Once all the data is entered students can click on the different column headings to sort the animals in different ways (like grouping all the water and land animals together or finding all the animals that fly). So this activity also helps your students understand databases. You can download the file by clicking here.




2nd Grade Matter Database

Second graders have been learning about the different states of matter (SOL 2.3) so we created a matter database. First I divided the students up into 3 groups (so not everyone would pick the same type of matter). We had the solids group, the liquids group, and the gases group. Next they drew a picture of their type of matter using Pixie and exported it as a JPG so we could upload it to the database. Then we entered our data into the online form. After everyone finished we took a look at the completed database. I showed the students how to sort the data by different categories. You can sort it by type of matter, teacher name, student name, date, etc. You can also search a database for a specific name or type of matter. We have over 50 records so far… go ahead and add your own to it! Another cool thing you could have your students do is go to this website and sort student-drawn pictures into solids, liquids, and gasses. The pictures were drawn by 2nd grade students in Ms. Roeder’s class. If you’d like to download the folder with all the links click here. And if you’re wondering why we even do databases in elementary school, take a look at this brief (3-minute) video I made explaining the purpose of databases and how to use them in your classroom.




2nd Grade Famous Americans Database

Second graders have been learning about famous Americans (SOL 2.11) so I created a database for them, just like I’ve been doing for the other grades. It’s really simple to create a database on mytaskhelper. Each student chose a famous American (Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson, George Washington, Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, or Martin Luther King, Jr.) then they did some online research. I sent them to Wikipedia and to a website I created about all the famous Americans. Once they gathered their information and found a picture, they entered their data into an online form. After everyone was finished we visited the online database to take a look at all the records. I showed them how they could sort the data different ways (one of the important features of a database). We tried sorting them by last name, first name, gender, ethnic group, teacher’s name, and birthday. One cool thing about this database is that it automatically calculates how old the famous person would be if they were still alive today. The students enjoyed finding out that Washington would be 278 and Helen Keller would be 129! It gave them a new perspective about how long ago these people lived. If you’d like to download the folder of links to try this project with your class click here.




Kindergarten Sink & Float

Today at Holladay Elementary, kindergarten students reviewed sinking and floating (SOL K.5c). I created a website where they can test different objects by tossing them in the water. Then they practice sorting the objects into Sink & Float Groups. These activities were followed by completing an AppleWorks database which is self-correcting. AppleWorks is an old program however, and sometimes causes problems. That’s why we’ve switched to online databases, until a new program comes out. You can download the database and do the activities with your students by clicking this link.




1st Grade Goods & Services Database

In 1st Grade at Trevvett Elementary we worked on a goods and services database. Students drew pictures of a good and a service in Pixie, then they exported the pictures as JPG files so we could upload them to the online database. Then I sent them to this link to fill out the information and upload their picture. After doing this lesson in several classes we now have over 180 examples of goods and services for you to review with your students! You can sort them different ways (by goods/services, by teacher, by date, by student name) and you can also search them. If you’d like to see all the records you can click this link.




Databases in Kindergarten?

Can kindergarten students really be expected to do databases? Well, two kindergarten classes did them today at Trevvett Elementary! Granted, it took a lot of guidance and help, but that’s what I’m here for, to provide you with an extra pair of hands when you need it! I’ve already explained how I found an excellent online database resource in this post, so I used that resource, MyTaskHelper, to create two kindergarten databases. One for needs and wants and one for magnets. First the students drew pictures in Pixie and we exported them as JPG or PNG files (in Pixie, go to Export, and choose the file type). It would be a good idea to have this part done ahead of time. Next we went to the online database and the students uploaded their pictures and entered their information. After they clicked the submit button we went to the “Sort” link at the top of the webpage and they could see all their classmates’ records! Then you can really show them the power of a database. Students can click the column headings to sort the data by type (need/want or magnetic/nonmagnetic) and they can search (by teacher name for example) to narrow the number of records shown. You can see the completed needs/wants database by clicking here, and you can see the completed magnets database by clicking here.




4th Grade Famous People Database

One of the technology requirements for Henrico County is to provide students with exposure to databases. To help meet this goal I’ve been searching for various free online databases and I finally found a great one called MyTaskHelper. It was the only free site I found where you could create your own forms for data entry, upload pictures, and then view all the records, including pictures, for searching and sorting. You can also embed the forms and the entire database into a website! So I created a form for 4th grade students to enter data about famous Americans. You can view the embedded form here. The form gives students experience with entering text, using drop down menus and radio buttons, and uploading pictures. After they complete the form and submit it they can click the “Sort” link at the top of the webpage to view all the records. You can take a look at this view by clicking here. In this view students can sort the data by clicking the column headings. They can also enter a search term to narrow the results (by teacher’s name, for example, since I did this in several classes). I’d be happy to set up a database for you or I can show you how to set up your own database using MyTaskHelper.