Lesson Plan title: Keyboard Use

Subject: Any

Grade Level: 2nd (and above)

Unit: Any

Objective(s):

 Student will label the keys on a “Qwerty” keyboard

 Students will practice keying spelling/vocabulary words

Tech. Standard(s): (list by number and general heading – e.g. mouse skills, word processing)

 3.7.4D – Use basic computer operations and software

Resources:

Traditional Electronic

List of focus words Keyboard worksheet (make hard copy for each student)

Notes: The position of the fingers for the keyboard is as follows:

 Both thumbs rest on the space bar

 Beginning with the left pinky on the “A” key, rest one finger on each key until the left pointer finger on the “F” key

 Beginning with the right pointer finger on the “J” key, rest on finger on each key until the right “pinky” is on the “: ;” key

Procedure:

1. Introduction: Discuss how proper keyboarding can save time (as opposed to “hunt and peck”); demonstrate proper hand position by showing how to key in words that students will use independently – NO “criss-crossing” of fingers across keyboard NOTE: This lesson is not designed to teach keyboarding of all fingers. It is to help foster hand placement on the keyboard, as opposed to using

Page 1 of 2 one finger for all letters. Students can key in letters with any finger on the proper hand.

2. Day 1: Can be completed in classroom w/students rotating to computers

 Distribute keyboard worksheet and instruct students that they will fill in the letters independently. Instruct them that they need to note the dotted line that shows the boundary for which hand’s fingers type which set of letters. Instruct them to color the right hand’s keys red and the left hand’s keys green

 Distribute list of focus words. Instruct students that once they fill in the worksheet, they should practice keying the words in on their paper keyboard trying not to cross over to the wrong side with fingers.

3. Day 2: In lab (bring focus word list)

 Pair students up. Have them sit next to each other in the lab.

 Instruct students to take turns watching each other key in the focus words. If the student keys in the word without crossing the keyboard with fingers, that student is awarded a point. Continue as time permits.

Evaluation:

 Check to make sure students filled out keyboard worksheet correctly

 Monitor proper keystrokes

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