Click on the link below to view 3rd/4th quarter Keyboarding Goals.

3rd/4th Qtr Goals

4K & 5K
Our 4K Students will engage in individual and group activities designed to teach using the various mouse functions, opening and closing software programs, accessing menus, moving from one screen to another, and even using the Internet to find a wealth of free educational games and seasonal activities. During the fourth quarter of this year, 5K students will be introduced to home keys to begin developing keyboarding skills. Students in 4K and 5K classes do not receive grades in computer lab.
 
1st & 2nd Grade
Students in our 1st and 2nd grade classes will focus heavily on developing keyboarding skills. First grade students will begin using SpongeBob Squarepants Typing. First-graders will not use Speedskins since they will be learning many new keys all year long. Second-graders will continue to use SpongeBob Squarepants Typing, as well as using Speedskins.    Keyboarding goals for first grade will start at three words per minute. Second grade students will begin the year with a goal of six words per minute. By the end of the year, these goals will increase by one to two words per minute (depending on the average progress for each group). All students have an accuracy goal of at least 90%. To keep parents apprised of student progress, I will periodically send home typing reports in students’ weekly folders. Grades are based on how well students meet keyboarding goals, as well as on attitude, effort, and graded projects. Specials classes at All Saints’ use the E, S, N, and U grading scale (see Parent Handbook for complete description). First-graders will not begin doing graded projects until close to the end of the year. However, they will engage in a variety of activities using software and the Internet to develop computer skills while having lots of fun.

3rd Through 6th Grade
Third through sixth graders will continue using a keyboarding software program called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. This program continually assesses student needs and modifies subsequent lessons to address these needs. This allows for greater individualization of lessons. This program also uses games to reinforce new skills, which students really seem to enjoy. Students will use Speedskins to discourage reverting to “hunting and pecking.” The color-coded keyboard templates we use in the lab are available in the school store at a minimal cost. They help students by showing them which fingers to use for the various keys on a keyboard. Grades are based on keyboarding, attitude, effort, projects, and quizzes (given at least once each quarter). These assessments cover computer terminology, techniques, and keyboard shortcuts. 

The All Saints’ keyboarding goal for the end of sixth grade is 20 words per minute. The goals for each grade level begin as indicated below (and increase throughout the year based upon progress of students in each grade level). I will periodically send home reports to keep parents apprised of student progress. All classes have a goal of at least 90% accuracy.

Beginning Goals:
3rd Grade - 8 words per minute   4th Grade - 10 words per minute
5th Grade - 12 words per minute  6th Grade - 15 words per minute
 
In addition to learning how to use resources on the Internet, students will learn to use Microsoft Office programs (beginning with Word in third and fourth grades and including Excel in fifth grade and Excel and PowerPoint in sixth grade). Through these projects, students will learn how to perform a wide variety of computer and software tasks, i.e., saving files, setting margins, copying text, merging cells in a worksheet, inserting graphics, and toggling between open programs.
 
Supplies
Each 3rd—6th grade student needs to bring a two-pocket folder, paper, and a pencil to class each week for class notes (which should be kept in this folder all year long). This should have been on the class supply list. We will provide floppy disks for students in grades 1st-6th. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at any time throughout the year. We look forward to a fabulous year. 

Tips to Improve Keyboarding Skills
Children should be careful to practice good posture (as demonstrated in class) and to keep the correct fingers on the home keys (beginning with pointer fingers on the "f" and "j" on the home row).  There are many software options available that allow children to practice keyboarding.  The best choice for your child depends upon the age of the child, his or her current ability level, and his or her interests.  Examples of available software are Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, SpongeBobTyping, All Star Typing, and Type to Learn.  There are many others that can be explored by going to a search engine and typing key words, i.e., "kid's typing software."   

Students who have trouble resisting the urge to "hunt and peck" can benefit from a product like the SpeedSkin we use in class (available at www.speedskin.com).  It covers the letters but allows the user to type through the thin membrane. I do not recommend this for the youngest users because they are still learning the keys and may need to peek.  

Finally, our school store is now selling keyboard templates (identical to those used in the lab). They are color coded so that children can easily see which finger to use for each key.  The cost of each keyboard template is $2.  Since 5K starts working on the home row keys in the fourth quarter of each school year, even they can benefit from having one at home while they practice.

Mrs. Lookadoo 
  

Suggested Websites

 for Kids and Parents: 


www.cogcon.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

www.kids-online.net

See many more links by clicking "Links" on the Home Page.