 |
These resources are designed to be used
as resources for teaching the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
(TA TEKS). The TA CED wants to share these resources but is not responsible for any
changes to external sites. |
| # |
Activity or Project |
TEKS |
| 1 |
Story Starters
Story starters are sentences used to prompt students to write. The story starters can be
presented in a variety of ways: written on the board, printed on paper, projected, or read
aloud. The students type the story starter and then compose additions to the story. Remind
students about posture and hand positions.
Variation(s):
*Students keyboard for a predetermined length of time.
*The teacher prepares several story starters on a disk. Students are provided with the
file names and are required to open the file and save to a different location before
starting to keyboard. TA TEKS (K-2) 1B, (3-5) 1B, (6-8) 1F
*Teacher models how to use spelling works in a writing assignment. Students are
given a story starter and then required to add current spelling words to the story.
*Teacher prepares story starters for the number of computers available to students.
Students are allowed to keyboard a predetermined amount of time then rotate to another
station. Students read previous work and then add to story following the established story
line. Repeat as necessary.
*Students submit story starters for use by others.
*The opening sentences (or paragraphs) from trade books, selected library books, or
classroom reading assignments are useful story starters.
Idea Source(s):
Keyboarding Story Starters page 1, page 2, page 3
Class Spelling Stories
|
TA (K-2) 2ABCD
TA (3-5) 2ABCD
TA (6-8) 2AB
LA K.15CF
LA 1.18C 19E
LA 2.10A 14A 18E
LA 3.10A 14A 18E
LA 4.11A 19F
LA 5.11A 19F
LA 6.11A 18F
LA 7.11A 18F
LA 8.11A 18F |
| 2 |
Keyboard Bingo
Make a copy of a paper keyboard out of thick paper. Omit letters, numbers, and symbols
from the keys. Laminate the keyboard for continued use. Distribute keyboards to begin
game. Create a set of materials representing the keys and place them in a container. Draw
a key from the container and call out the letter, number, or symbol while students mark
the key on their paper keyboards where they think the letter or symbol belongs.
Hint(s):
*Hide all the keyboards in the classroom except the one which will be used to verify
locations of answers on the student paper keyboards.
*Establish winning criteria before you begin (for example: any 4 keys in a row, an entire
column, etc.).
Variation(s):
*Laminate keyboards and allow students to use water soluble markers to mark answers.
*For younger students or to initiate the unit, fill in certain sections of the keyboard
before copying (i.e., leave only the home row blank, fill in only punctuation, or fill in
keys not yet taught).
*Each student receives a different keyboard with different keys marked.
*Use spelling words instead of individual letters. Students learn to spell the word and
find the matching keys.
* Teacher calls out simple sentences. Students cover the keys corresponding to the letters
found in each announced word. |
TA (K-2) 2C
TA (3-5) 2C
|
| 3 |
Chat Rooms
Locate a free, private chat provider. Students converse with each other though the
software. Remind students about posture and hand positions throughout the exercise.
Hint(s):
*Keep the number of students involved in a group conversation small (2-5).
Variation(s):
*Engage a class in a different school on a specific topic. TA TEKS
(K-2) 8A, (3-5) 8AC, (6-8) 8AB LA 4.22B, 5.22B, 6.21B, 7.21B, 8.21B
Observation rubric and links to free chat providers:
Keyboarding Chat Lesson:
Technique Check |
TA (K-2) 2ABCD
TA (3-5) 2ABCD
TA (6-8) 2AB |
| 4 |
Keyboard Practice: Letter Recognition
Gather discarded computer keyboards from technical support, business partners,
parents, etc. Cut off the cords before distributing to students. Discuss keyboard features
and non-alphabetical order. Call out letters for students to locate on the keyboard.
Extension(s):
Encourage the students to find their name or spelling words. |
TA (K-2) 2C |
| 5 |
Spelling Practice
Students type words from the current spelling list a predetermined number of times.
Student also use the spelling words in a complete sentence with appropriate
capitalization, punctuation, context, etc. |
TA (K-2) 2ABCDE
TA (3-5) 2ABCDE
TA (6-8) 2AB |
| 6 |
Keyboard Shapes
Teacher models how to create shapes using fixed width fonts. Display previously created
typed shapes. Students use a fixed width font to create shapes such as block initials,
holiday symbols, etc. Students use the preview function to check their work before
printing.
Additional Resource(s):
Lyman's Keyboarding Alphabet
Learning Activities (Block Initials, Great Pumpkin Picture and
Typed Picture)
Art Typing Design
(Guitar) |
TA (K-2) 2A 9B
TA (3-5) 2A 9B
TA (6-8) 2A |
| 7 |
Categories
The category title is called out and students have a predetermined amount of time to key
in the title and as many items that fit into the category as possible. Another category is
announced and steps are repeated. Remind students of posture and hand positions throughout
the exercise. Possible categories include: the names of teachers, holidays, items of
clothing, presidents, pets, words that rhyme with _____, etc.
Variation(s):
*Using time between the announcement of categories, students count the number of entries
they have created. The student with the most entries decides the next category. |
TA (K-2) 2ABC
TA (3-5) 2ABC
TA (6-8) 2AB |
| 8 |
Type that Tune
Play a recording of a song and have the students type as many of the lyrics as
possible. Remind students of body posture and hand positions prior to starting.
Hint(s):
Review the lyrics for inappropriate words or themes prior to using the song. Written
lyrics are helpful. |
TA (K-2) 2ABC
TA (3-5) 2ABC
TA (6-8) 2AB |
| 9 |
No View
Have the students turn off the monitors and type without looking at their hands. Topics
could include retelling of a fairy tale, response to a current issue, steps for
accomplishing a task, etc. Review body posture and hand positions before students begin.
After a predetermined amount of time, direct the students to turn on their monitors and
read what they have typed. |
TA (K-2) 2ABC
TA (3-5) 2ABC
TA (6-8) 2AB |
| 10 |
Which finger?
Create a paper copy of a complete keyboard for each student. Place different single-color
stickers on each finger nail. Use the same color for both thumbs. Help students color
their keyboards, matching the keys struck with the color from the appropriate finger. Use
these keyboards to practice. |
TA (K-2) 2C
TA (3-5) 2C |
| 11 |
Round the Keyboard
Create a large blank keyboard on the floor. Students stand in a line on one side of
the teacher around the keyboard so that all may see. The first student is handed a
card with a letter, symbol or special key printed on it. The student places the card in
the appropriate location and returns to the other side of the teacher. Process continues
with other students. If a student has difficulty, they may request help from other
students.
Kelly J. Owens, A New Twist on
the Keyboard |
TA (K-2) 2C
TA (3-5) 2C |
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