School/University/Affiliation: Nuuanu School
Date: 2004
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Grade Level(s): K-3
Subject(s):
* Computer Science
Objectives:
1. To learn to use the computer keyboard
2. To use the word processor as an alternative to pencil and paper tasks
Materials:
1. One or multiple computers with access to a printer
2. Software: for keyboarding or word processing : Kid Keys/ Kids Typing
3. Teacher-developed activities, worksheets, bulletin board, and word processing files
Procedures:
Use a variety of activities to acquaint the students with the keyboard. Suggestions include:
1. Keyboard Bingo: use keyboard playing cards
2. Sticky Fingers: students toss a velcro ball at a designated key on a large replica of a computer keyboard
3. Cut and Paste Keyboard: students complete a worksheet requiring them to supply missing letters and numerals on a keyboard.
To teach keyboarding, word processing and related vocabulary, display a menu, shift key, space bar, and other related terms on a bulletin board display. Have students practice keyboarding using the keyboarding software. Have the students use the word processing software and teacher-developed word processing files to learn editing functions:
* Space bar - present them with a series of numbers, letters, or words and have them use the arrow keys and space bar to move the cursor around and insert spaces as needed
* Delete key - present them with a series of numbers, letters or words and have them use the delete key to remove the item that doesn't belong
* Insert key - present them with a sequence of numbers or letters with one missing and replaced by an asterisk; have students delete the asterisk and insert the missing item in the correct position.
* Have them use word processing files to complete skill work exercises:
* in reading - sentence completion or vocabulary review exercises
* in spelling - unscrambling scrambled words
* in writing - completing sentence starters