Introduction to the Letters on the Keyboard

Younger children who have just learned their ABC's in order, may have a hard time understanding, let alone memorizing the QWERTY Keyboard. This lesson is a fun way to learn basic keyboarding skills while revisiting the letters of the alphabet. At this age, you only want them to be comfortable at the keyboard- they soon will be proficient typists!

For Grades: preschool-first grade

Class time: 1 Class


NETS Standards

"6.	Technology Operations and Concepts
	Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations."

Materials:

• Printable QWERTY Letters (PDF)
• Keyboard
• Optional: Electronic Whiteboard and Computer

 

Procedure:

Prep: Print out and place the letters in QWERTY order on the floor in your computer lab. If you have tight space, a hallway would suffice. I would also suggest laminating the QWERTY letters.

1. Discuss the Keyboard while students are sitting at their seats. Point out that the letters are NOT in alphabetical order. If you have a child keyboard with different colored keys- use this to your advantage!

Ask: "Why do you think the letters are out of order?" {used to slow down typists} "Can you pretend to type the letters in your name?" Allow time for exploration and to ask you questions.

2. Have your students follow you over to the LARGE printed out keyboard and assign each student a letter of the alphabet. Please Note: depending on the size of your class, some children may have two. ****

3. Call the alphabet in order allowing each of the students to find their assigned letter. Once found they should stand on his or her assigned letter exactly where it sits in the QWERTY keyboard. Continue until all the letters are called.

4. Wrap up= Answer any remanding questions and collect all materials. Reinforce that the letters on the keyboard are not in order.

**** If you are teaching a really small group of children, or fear that they will not remember their assigned letter, you may have them raise his or her hand to find the corresponding letter and then return to his or her original seat once found. Optional: you can type each individual letter and project it on your electronic whiteboard to help with letter recognition.