Quarterly news:
The first quarter in computer class was spent with a review of keyboarding during the first five classes. Students took at least one timed typing test to show where there speed and accuracy is at the beginning of fifth grade. They will continue lessons and timed typing tests in May.
After a keyboarding review, fifth grade learned successful web research skills. We practiced in the computer lab with a variety questions and topics to research while applying the three main skills learned: 1. Analyze the topic to decide what to search, 2. Choose the right place to start, and 3. Learn as you go and vary your approach based on search results. Students also learned and applied some quick tips like using quotation marks around a phrase to keep the words together in web page results, using only important words in the search, and using the edit > find feature on pages to find exactly the information you're looking for.
Tips for improving keyboarding skills:
Currently, we are working on improving our keyboarding skills to prepare for computer classes at the middle school. You can help your children prepare by allowing them to practice at home. At DMS, much of the typing is longer than what we do at the grade school level. Find some articles that interest your child and have them type a copy of the article. Uses this sheet to help search for articles on the Internet. Web sites like PBS, A&E biography, and the History Channel are some good sources. Copy, paste and print one or two paragraphs to re-type.
Remember:
his/her eyes should stay on the article and the screen, not on the keyboard
it is important to have their fingers on the home row position
type for only five to ten minute increments; these breaks help to refresh the typist
for extra practice, re-type (five times each) the words typed inaccurately the first time
look at the mistakes and try to figure out why they were made, i.e. reaching for R instead of T, then try to practice that skill with words that use those problematic letters
to figure how many words per minute were typed, do a word count (in Tools menu > Word Count). This will show how many characters with spaces were typed. Divide that number by 5, (every five characters typed is a "word" in words per minute), then divide that number by the number of minutes typed. For example, if a student typed 500 characters with spaces in two minutes, that would be 100 words divided by two = 50 wpm.
Mrs. Joyce - 6th grade curriculum at DMS
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Last updated 2/5/08
