A miniature overview of the MWCS Elementary School Keyboarding Curriculum
JK is introduced to the Qwerty keyboard using Kids Keys (Kidstone Keyboard- levels 1&2) (2nd 10 wks. of of school- approximately 5 fifteen minute sessions.)
HINT- A smiley face sticker is placed on the keyboard, below the space bar and directly under the center of the letters B and N. Students are encouraged to use their right hand for letters to the right of the smiley and the left hand for letters to the left of the smiley. They may use any fingers, (NOT THUMBS) they want, but are reminded not to cross over Mr. Smiley or he will be sad.
Kindergarten -students revisit Kids Keys (Kidstone Keyboard-levels 1-4 and Dragon Tunes-levels 1 & 2 using the same technique as described for JK.. (Students work on this in the second 10 wks of school - approximately 5 thirty minute sessions))
1st Grade- Students revisit Kids Keys. They review Kidstone Keyboard levels 1-4 and continue on Dragon Tunes levels 3 & 4. Students are directed to use their fingers like little spider legs crawling up and down the keys and are reminded not to cross over Mr. Happy Face!
2nd Grade- Further instruction in Kids Keys. This time students are introduced to homerow keys and position. Students recite the names of the homerow keys and talk about the "speed bumps" on the letters F and J. They recite the phrase "F and J on the speed bumps" while placing pointer fingers on the speed bumps. Students are further directed to place their fingers on the remainder of the homerow keys. Second grade students are introduced to the Magic Mirror component of Kids Keys. This component features the visual cue of gloves that depict the correct finger to use for each keystroke the software asks for. Second grade students enjoy this and are encouraged to imitate the glove.
3rd Grade- Formal keyboarding begins using Microsoft Word and Type To Learn 3. Keys are now covered with speedskins but due to previous exposure to the Qwerty keyboard the students do not seem intimidated. The focus is on technique at this point in the program. Students are reminded to be consistent with the homerow position and are directed to repeat lessons if they are not using the proper technique. Students start formal keyboarding the 5th week of school . Each key is introduced by the keyboarding instructor prior to the Type To Learn lesson. (Example: Students open Microsoft Word, instructor uses a large keyboard poster to demonstrate the f-g reach. Students are asked to key a whole row of fg space: fg fg fg fg fg. Instructor directs student to enter two times using their pinky and to turn off their monitors. Students are further directed to repeat the fg space with monitors off. Students are timed for 20-30 seconds, and then are directed to turn on their monitors to see how well they did. Students are amazed at their success!) This technique is also used to review letters on a regular basis. Third graders receive 20 minutes a week of keyboard instruction in addition to their regularly scheduled computer class for curriculum enhancement. These time slots are switched at the beginning of the third semester. Students receive 40 minutes of keyboarding and twenty minutes curriculum enhancement throughout the last two semesters.
HINT- The formation of a "12 Club" and a "21 Club" entices students to complete lessons in a timely manner. Students attain membership in the "12 Club" when they complete 12 out of the 21 lessons in Type To Learn. They sign their name on the "12 Club" membership sheet which is posted at the front of the room using a "gold" pencil. Students also receive a pencil for this achievement. When students complete the 21st lesson they become members of the prestigious "21 Club". In addition to signing their name on the "21 Club" membership sheet and choosing a fancy pen from the treasure box, this status affords them 10 minutes of Internet time at the end of each keyboarding class. (This is guided internet time using the MWCS Elementary Website.) Approximately 50% of 3rd grade students become "12 Club" members by the end of 3rd grade. The goal for 4th grade is for all students to be members of the "21 Club" at the end of 4th grade.
4th Grade- Formal keyboarding continues using Type To Learn 3. Students receive 40 minutes a week of keyboarding instruction. Fourth Grade students are introduced to typing from hard copy using the PAWS textbook. The focus in fourth grade is on technique and accuracy, however students take timed writings on a regular basis. Additionally students are introduced to the functions of Microsoft Word to prepare them for 5th grade assignments.
5th Grade- Students use the skills they have acquired to this point for numerous classroom assignments. They continue to advance keyboarding skills through the use of Type For Fun and Type To Learn Assessment. Students are encouraged to increase speed and improve accuracy. In addition to MS Word, fifth grade students work with MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher and MS FrontPage. All fifth grade students are required to give a PowerPoint Presentation using the overhead, and to design a webpage with internal and external links, picture backgrounds, clip art and animated graphics.
Above is a sample of a student created MS Publisher
brochure on one of the states in America.
Click here to view student created websites.
Click here to see a student created PowerPoint presentation on Honduras Please be patient as it is slow loading!
Click here to view information and requirements for 5th Grade web design.
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email questions or comments.
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