Scope
Sequence
Course Materials and Resources
Item Name |
Required or Supplemental |
Computers or Tablets |
Required |
External keyboards |
Required |
Typing Software or Apps- kid friendly |
Required |
Internet Access |
Required |
Headphones for individual focus during practice & lessons that include Audio Instructions |
Required |
Visual Keyboard Charts- posters |
Required |
Typing Progress Sheets- printed or digital logs for students to track typing speed |
Required |
Teach lesson Plan Binder/ Digital Files |
Required |
Timer or Stopwatch |
Required |
Stickers or Small Prizes to encourage progress |
Required |
Ergonomic Keyboard Covers |
Supplemental |
Printed Typing Assignments |
Supplemental |
Projector or Smartboard for demonstrations fo typing Techniques |
Supplemental |
|
Supplemental |
Lesson Plan(s)
This curriculum is designed to introduce 2nd-grade students to proper keyboarding techniques, improve their typing speed, and increase their accuracy. The focus will be on building foundational skills in a fun and engaging way through practice, games, and gradual progression.
Month 1: Introduction to Keyboard & Home Row
- Objective: Understand the layout of the keyboard and master the home row keys.
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the keyboard
- Overview of the keyboard layout (letters, numbers, punctuation, spacebar).
- Discuss posture and hand positioning.
- Lesson 2: Home row keys (A, S, D, F, J, K, L, ;)
- Focus on correct finger placement on the home row.
- Practice typing home row letters using typing software/games.
- Lesson 3: Simple words with home row keys (e.g., “dad,” “sad”)
- Type short words that use home row keys.
- Lesson 4: Review and practice session
- Typing games focusing on home row key mastery.
Weekly Practice Goal: 10 minutes of home row typing practice each day.
Month 2: Expanding to Top Row Keys
- Objective: Learn and practice typing the top row keys (Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P).
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to top row keys
- Review proper hand positioning for reaching the top row keys.
- Lesson 2: Typing top row letters
- Practice typing top row letters with home row combinations (e.g., “rate,” “pure”).
- Lesson 3: Typing simple sentences using top row keys
- Combine home row and top row letters to form sentences.
- Lesson 4: Typing games & drills
- Engage in typing games focused on speed and accuracy with top row keys.
Weekly Practice Goal: 15 minutes of typing practice each day, including home row and top row.
Month 3: Mastering the Bottom Row Keys
- Objective: Learn and practice typing the bottom row keys (Z, X, C, V, B, N, M).
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to bottom row keys
- Emphasize correct hand movement from the home row to the bottom row.
- Lesson 2: Typing bottom row letters
- Practice words and sentences that incorporate bottom row letters (e.g., “can,” “mix”).
- Lesson 3: Typing drills with full alphabet keys
- Combine top, home, and bottom rows to type short paragraphs.
- Lesson 4: Typing games & progress check
- Typing challenges to check progress in speed and accuracy.
Weekly Practice Goal: 20 minutes of typing practice each day, covering all rows.
Month 4: Introduction to Numbers and Special Characters
- Objective: Learn to type numbers and basic punctuation (e.g., period, comma, question mark).
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to number keys
- Practice typing numbers 1-9 and using the shift key for special characters.
- Lesson 2: Introduction to punctuation keys
- Practice typing periods, commas, and question marks in sentences.
- Lesson 3: Typing short paragraphs with numbers and punctuation
- Integrate number keys and punctuation into sentence practice.
- Lesson 4: Review and games
- Typing drills focused on numbers and punctuation.
Weekly Practice Goal: 20 minutes of practice, with a focus on integrating numbers and punctuation into typing.
Month 5: Speed Building and Accuracy
- Objective: Focus on increasing typing speed and accuracy.
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Typing short stories and paragraphs
- Begin typing longer sentences and short stories.
- Lesson 2: Speed typing drills
- Time-based challenges to improve typing speed without sacrificing accuracy.
- Lesson 3: Typing accuracy practice
- Focus on error-free typing, using tools and software to measure accuracy.
- Lesson 4: Typing games & tests
- Fun competitions to boost both speed and accuracy.
Weekly Practice Goal: 25 minutes of typing practice each day, with a focus on speed and error-free typing.
Month 6: Typing Fluency and Final Projects
- Objective: Achieve typing fluency and complete a final typing project.
Lessons:
- Lesson 1: Review of all keys and practice typing longer texts
- Continue typing paragraphs and stories with minimal errors.
- Lesson 2: Introduction to creative typing projects
- Type a story or poem that students write themselves.
- Lesson 3: Speed and accuracy test
- Conduct a formal speed and accuracy test to measure progress.
- Lesson 4: Final typing project
- Complete a final project (e.g., a typed story, report, or personal letter) to demonstrate typing proficiency.
Weekly Practice Goal: 30 minutes of typing practice each day.
Curriculum End Goal:
By the end of 6 months, students will:
- Use proper finger placement and posture.
- Type letters, numbers, and basic punctuation with increased accuracy.
- Demonstrate improved typing speed (15-20 WPM is a reasonable target for 2nd graders).
- Complete a typing project with fluency and minimal errors.
Teaching Strategies
Reinforcement and Recognition: Effort and recognition speak to the attitudes and beliefs of students, and teachers must show the connection between effort and achievement. Research shows that although not all students realize the importance of effort, they can learn to change their beliefs to emphasize effort. According to research, recognition is most effective if it is contingent on the achievement of a certain standard. Also, symbolic recognition works better than tangible rewards.
Specific Teaching Instruction
Demonstrate Proper Technique
Start each session by demonstrating proper typing posture and hand placement. Emphasize the importance of sitting up straight, keeping feet flat, and resting fingers lightly on the home row.
Start Slow with Repetition
Introduce one row or a few keys at a time, starting with the home row. Encourage students to practice each set of keys repeatedly to build muscle memory before progressing to more keys.
Use Engaging Typing Games
Incorporate fun, kid-friendly typing games that reinforce lessons. Interactive games motivate students and make learning feel like play, while also providing instant feedback on accuracy and speed.
Provide Immediate Feedback
Monitor students as they type and give immediate, constructive feedback. Encourage them to correct mistakes on the spot rather than waiting for the end of the session.
Focus on Accuracy Before Speed
Teach students to prioritize accuracy over speed in the early stages. Ensure they understand that typing correctly, even slowly, is better than making mistakes at a faster rate.
Incorporate Typing Challenges
Introduce friendly competitions and typing challenges (e.g., typing a set of words in a certain time frame). Provide small rewards or certificates to boost engagement and progress.
Chunk Learning into Short Sessions
Keep each typing session short (10-15 minutes) to avoid frustration and fatigue. Frequent, shorter practice sessions are more effective for young learners than long, uninterrupted periods.
Use Visual Aids
Use keyboard charts, posters, and digital visual aids to show students proper finger placement. Repeatedly reference these aids during instruction until students internalize correct positioning.
Incorporate Real-Life Writing
Have students type sentences from their favorite books, or let them type out simple stories or letters to family members. This makes typing more meaningful and relevant to their lives.
Progressive Difficulty
Gradually increase the difficulty of tasks, starting with typing individual letters, moving to short words, and then full sentences. Once they are comfortable, introduce numbers, punctuation, and longer passages.
Encourage Peer Learning
Pair students up to help each other. More advanced typists can mentor beginners, creating a collaborative learning environment that fosters teamwork and confidence.
Frequent Review and Reinforcement
Regularly revisit previous lessons to reinforce learning. Introduce periodic review sessions to ensure students retain the basics as they progress to more complex typing skills.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate progress by acknowledging improvements in accuracy, speed, or posture. Use praise and rewards to build confidence and encourage continued effort.
Hands-Off Practice
Occasionally cover keyboards or use typing covers to encourage students to type without looking at the keys. This promotes touch typing and strengthens muscle memory.
Real-World Application
Integrate typing into other subjects, like writing a story in English or typing answers to math problems. This helps students see how typing is useful beyond just the classroom.
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