Alphabet Typists
Students are instructed to type the alphabet as quickly as possible with their eyes closed. They may sing the alphabet song out loud as they key it in together.
Baseball
This activity is for speed development. The class is divided into two teams and each team selects a name. Students are timed for one minute on a selected line or sentence. They are to key the line as many times as they can during the timing. Each line is equal to one base; four bases (lines) equal a run. Scoring: Each team counts the number of lines each team member completes during the timing, and records the “run” on the board. For example: if a team gets ten total bases (lines), it scores two runs and has a runner on second for the start of the next inning. The number of innings is based on the amount of time available.
Blind Search
While closing your eyes, see if you can find the home row using the guide keys with the bumps. These are the D and K keys on the Mac side and the F and J on the IBM.
Continuous Story
Working in small groups, each student keys in the same beginning sentence at their keyboard. For instance, Once upon a time. Then they continue to create a story given that sentence for approximately 3 -5 minutes. At that time, the teacher says, “switch” and the students go to the next computer and continue the story on that computer. Keep doing this until each student gets through their group. Let students know that some stories may be selected to be read out loud.
Flash Cards
Letters that have been introduced are written on large index cards-one letter per card. One card at a time is flashed with students keying letter-space-letter-space until the next card is flashed. As a variation, each day a different student can be the flash card holder.
Football
Create a simple illustration of a football field on the board or a piece of poster paper. The class is divided into two groups. Each group keys in a certain line for a 30 second time period. At the end of that time, one person from each team counts the total number of words typed in for their entire group. The difference in number of words typed between the two groups is the amount of “yardage” the leading team advances. There are penalties though— Five yard penalty for any improper technique including wrong fingering, looking at the keyboard, or hunting and pecking. Ten yards for illegal use of the voice (talking during the game).
Shift Key
Students are given a list of classmates’ name that include only letters that have been introduced. In a column format, they are instructed to key the first name and last initial. This is and excellent time for the teacher to make a technique check while students are enjoying inputting their classmates’ names.
Simon Says
The teacher acts as Simon calling out things for the students to do. Students should not complete the action, unless the teacher first says, “Simon says.” If students do not follow directions, they must stop. Try the following examples, but remember to add a few non-Simon directions also.
- Simon says to key Line 1 on page 22.
- Simon says to return and begin typing on Line 2.
- Simon says to look at your neighbor while you type.
- Simon says to sing while you type.
- Simon says to stand while you type.
- Simon says to shake your head while you type.
- Simon says to say the ABC’s while you type. Etc.
Technique Tag
The purpose of technique tag is to work on proper technique at the keyboard. One person is selected to walk around the room looking for someone with excellent technique. When the person finds someone with great technique, they tag or tap that person and the tagged person becomes the new person to search for another person with great technique.
Technique Tag Variations
Students are given drill lines to key and are observed while they are inputting. When a specific student is using correct tichnique, he/she is tapped on the shoulder. That student then becomes “it” to find someone else keying correctly.
Tortoise and the Hare
The class is divided into two equal teams, the “Hares” and the “Tortoises.” The Hares’ goal is to type for speed and Tortoises’ goal is to type for accuracy. Scoring goes as follows and can be adjusted to reflect skill levels of individual classes:
Hares
- 5 yards for 15 wpm gain
- 3 yards for 12 wpm gain
- 1 yard for 10 wpm gain
Tortoises
- 5 yards for no errors
- 3 yards for 1 error
- 1 yard for 2 or more errors.
The ten “animals” who earn the greatest distance are the winners. Switch student roles so they work at both, building speed and accuracy.
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Language Arts | Teaching and Learning | MMSD
Update September 29, 2000
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