Pacing Guide
1
History of Typing
Provide students with the opportunity to watch the video below and use the Internet to explore the history of the typewriter. Conduct a class discussion either face to face or digitally to discuss the questions listed below.
Discussion Questions
Who invented the first commercial typewriter and what was his job?
When was it invented?
What is the name of the keyboard layout that was used in the 1800's and it still used today?
What was the purpose of laying the letters in this arrangement?
2
Goal Setting
Using this activity👈, guide students through the process of setting individual typing goals for themselves. This goal will be the first of many goals they will set for themselves on their typing journey. Revisit these goals often and offer students assistance in adjusting their goals to challenge and improve their speed and accuracy.
Benefits of Typing
Develops confidence
Moves focus to what students are typing, not how to type
Complete tasks in a more timely manner
Expectations
Programs can be used for reinforcement but ultimately, teachers are the best resource in the early days of keyboarding instructions. Positive reinforcement, teacher presence, redirection, and recognition (stickers, verbal affirmations, visual boards) can help motivate students who may be struggling with finger placement and daily practice or those may need to be challenged.
3
Healthy Habits
Before and during instruction, provide students with resources on how to keep their body safe and healthy while typing. Assign the video below to be viewed independently or as a whole-group and have a discussion of key points. Stress the importance of listening to your body and adjusting or telling an adult if something hurts or does not feel right when typing.
Discussion Questions
What are the key points discussed in the video?
What is a repetitive stress injury?
How often should you take a break when typing?
Extension
For additional instruction and reinforcement, use this digital breakout👈 called "Sitting Pretty" that provide students with the opportunity to explore digital resources that stress the habits that typists need to develop or change to stay safe and healthy while typing. The key for digital breakout can be found here👈.
4
Finger Placement
It is important for students to place their fingers in "ready" position when beginning to type. To be in "ready" position, students should be sitting in their chair with feet flat on the floor, back against the back of their chair, keyboard pull to the end of the table to avoid their wrist resting on the table, and fingers resting on the home row.
Left hand fingers should be resting over A, S, D, F from pinky to index moving to the right.
Right hand fingers should be resting over J, K,L, ; from index to pink moving to the right.
TIP: It may help younger students to draw a picture of each one of their hands and label the different finger names. Using the pictures, they can place their hand(s) on the pictures and practice naming their fingers.
5
Preparing to Type
Place fingers in "ready" position with left pinky on the letter A and the left index finger on the letter F. Ring finger and middle finger on the left hand are on keys in between.
Right pinky should be on the ; and the right index finger should be on the letter J. Ring finger and middle finger on the right hand are on keys in between.
Notice that there is a bump on the key labeled F and J. These bumps are designed to help students locate the home row without looking.
6
Preparing to Type
Place fingers in "ready" position with left pinky on the letter A and the left index finger on the letter F. Ring finger and middle finger on the left hand are on keys in between.
Right pinky should be on the ; and the right index finger should be on the letter J. Ring finger and middle finger on the right hand are on keys in between.
Notice that there is a bump on the key labeled F and J. These bumps are designed to help students locate the home row without looking.
NOTE: Two keys are not covered, G and H. They stand for "GO HOME." If you can see them when you are in "ready" position, your fingers are not in the correct place.
Use this 👉poem to assist with memorization. As you have students practice keys recite the poem and have them type the letter as they hear it in the poem.
Little finger A, reach for B,
Middle finger C, D, E
Side by side F and G
First finger H, reach up for I
J, K, L three in row
M and N are side by side
Right ring finger reach up for O.
Both little fingers P and Q,
R, S, T not hard for you.
Up for U and down for V,
Left ring finger up and down
W and X without a frown
Reach up for Y and down for Z
Now you have them all you see.
Left Hand Letters (A-G)
Letter A
With fingers in "ready" position, press the letter A with your pinky.
Letter B
With fingers in "ready" position, reach down to the bottom row and press B with your left index finger. When you have pressed the key, return your right index finger back to the letter F on the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters.
Letter C, D, E
With fingers in "ready" position, your left middle finger will press C, D, E.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters.
Letters F and G
With fingers in "ready" position, your left index finger presses letter F and reaches one key to the right to letter G.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice the letters you have just learned.
Practice Words A-G
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice the letters you have just learned.
Right Hand (H-N)
Letter H and I
With fingers in "ready" position, press the letter H with your right index finger. After you have pressed this key, return your right index finger back to letter J. Reach to the top row with your right middle finger to press letter I.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters JKL
With fingers in "ready" position, press the letter J with your right index finger, the letter K with your right middle finger, and the letter L with your right ring finger.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters M and N
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the bottom row and press letter M with your right index finger and return to the home row.
Reach to the bottom row and press letter N with your right index finger and return to the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
7
Preparing to Type
Place fingers in "ready" position with left pinky on the letter A and the left index finger on the letter F. Ring finger and middle finger on the left hand are on keys in between.
Right pinky should be on the ; and the right index finger should be on the letter J. Ring finger and middle finger on the right hand are on keys in between.
Notice that there is a bump on the key labeled F and J. These bumps are designed to help students locate the home row without looking.
Both Hands (O-Z)
Letters O
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter O with your right ring finger and return to the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters P and Q
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter P with your right pinky finger and return to the home row. Reach to the top row and press letter Q with your left pinky finger.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters.
Letters R, S, and T
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter R with your left index finger and return to the home row. From the home row, press the letter S with left ring finger. Reach to the top row and press letter T with your left index finger.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters U and V
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter U with your right index finger and return to the home row. Reach to the bottom row and press letter U with your left index finger and return to the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters W and X
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter W with your left ring finger and return to the home row. Reach to the bottom row and press letter X with your left ring finger and return to the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
Letters Y and Z
With fingers in "ready" position, reach for the top row and press letter Y with your right index finger and return to the home row. Reach to the bottom row and press letter Z with your left pinky finger and return to the home row.
Use the attached copy👈 to share with your students to practice these letters and words.
