Lesson Plan Title : Using Word Processors For The First Time

Overview and Purpose: We will cover a wide range of basic computer skills. Including: Review Typing skills, Home Row, Using a word processor, Saving and retrieving files.

We'll also go over basic parts of all computer applications such as: Saving Documents, Pages, Blank Document, Opening Saved Documents, Desktop, Text, Tool Bar, Cap lock, Delete, Enter/Return, Spacebar, Font, Shift, Menu Bar, Tool Bar

Goals:

1. TLW be able to identify and utilize important keys for typing skills.

2. TLW be able to demonstrate proper ergonomics for using a computer.

3. TLW will be able to use Pages to create new word documents.

4. TLW be able to navigate the Pages menu bar to save documents onto the computer desktop.

5. TLW be able to navigate the Pages tool bar to format text.

Objectives:

1. RSU 18 STP 3- Students will develop the necessary skills required to utilize a variety of technology:

*A. Continue to develop home row skills using proper finger placement. 1. Students will be able to type simple how row sentences without looking at the keyboard 2. Students will begin to learn proper hand placement on alpha keys

*B. Use network-based programs and tools for collaboration

*C. Power up, power down, and use various technology and peripherals correctly 1. Choose and select appropriate network printers

*D. Use and organize files and directories 1. Saving to server and creating folders within their personal file server folder

*E. Compose, revise and edit text: 1. Create, edit, and revise original text to communicate 2. Use such features of word processing as cut, copy and paste 3. Edit and format text to clarify and enhance meaning, using such word processing features as the thesaurus, find/change, text alignment, font size and font style

Resources:

Laptops

Pages

Promethean Board/Projector

Keyboarding Flip Chart

Methods

Introduction:

1. Does anyone remember what program we use to type up documents? (Pages)

2. Who can remember the most important keys we use when typing? (Delete, Shift, Space Bar, Enter/Return, etc.)

3. Have students walk me through opening and saving a new document.

4. What do you use words for? To make sentences when talking and writing.

5. We are going to use a program called Pages. We can write on Pages just like you do with a pencil and a piece of paper. All of our letters, numbers, and punctuation marks are on our keyboards. Instead of using a pencil, we type by pressing on the keys we want. Our Pages window is like a piece of paper.

6. We are going to learn some of the most important keys we use to help us with our typing.

Engagement:

Have students practice their typing skills, and use of the Home Row keys on Dance Mat Typing. Have students help me edit a document with punctuation, spacing, and capitalization errors.

Day 1:

1. Walk students through opening Pages (What does the icon look like? Find it on your dock and double click on it. Choose blank document, double click.)

2. 2nd grade- Walk through saving and naming documents (File-> Save As-> type name: first name, last initial, grade-> save on desktop)

3. Show students where Cap Lock, Delete, Enter/Return, and Space bar keys are. Have them find them on their computers.

4. How many spaces do you use when writing with a paper and pencil? (One) Every time you press the space bar it makes one space. If you only need one space between words, how many times do you press the space bar? (Once)-Do spacebar practice.

5. Show students where the Tool Bar is located in Pages. This is where you change your font (Explain what font is (what your letters look like/color/size/etc.)

6. Show students how to change their font size. (Do first practice page)

Day 2:

1. Review previous lesson.

2. Introduce Shift key. [When do we use capital letters? (Names, Places, Dates, I, etc.) Explain the difference between when to use the Cap Lock key and Shift (Cap Lock- when we need all of our letters capital, Shift- when we need just one letter) We use Shift when typing.

3. Show students how to use the Shift key (Hold either key down and press the letter you want uppercase, let go of both keys)

4. Have students open their document from the previous lesson and practice using the Shift key in Pages.

5. Who knows what we do at the end of a sentence? (put a period) Show students where the period is located. Have them find it on their computers. What other punctuation marks can we use at the end of a sentence? (questions mark, exclamation point) Show students where these are, explain to them how to use them.. Practice typing the different punctuation marks when u call them out.

6. Have students practice their typing skills and key knowledge independently on the second practice page.

Day 3:

1. Show students how to change their font color.

2. Have students do practice 3 independently.

Class Practice:

Dance Mat Typing. Edit a pre existing document

Day 1:

1. After Learning about the Space Bar, display the Space Bar page, have students practice typing the list of words with only 1 space between them.

Day 2:

1. After learning about the Shift key, display the Shift key practice page. Have students practice using Shift on the letters on the practice page. Have students choose random letters to practice Shift.

Independent Practice:

Have students open and save a new document and type a paper about their summer vacation (or another topic). (Use proper punctuation/capitalization/spacing, etc.)

Day 1: Display first practice page. Have students follow the directions and type it independently. (1st grade walk through it one section at a time) Walk around to monitor students, correct them when needed. (Have 2nd grade students save their work, have 1st grade quit pages)

Day 2: Display second practice page. Have students follow the directions and type it independently. (1st grade walk through it one section at a time) Walk around to monitor students, correct them when needed. (Have 2nd grade students save their work, Have 1st grade quit pages)

Day 3: Display 3rd practice page. Have students open their previous document, follow the directions and type it independently. (1st grade walk through it one section at a time) Walk around to monitor students, correct them when needed. (Have 2nd grade students save their work, Have 1st grade quit pages)

Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction):

Have a document that shows what editing needs to be made. Print off flip chart practice pages for students who are ahead and students who are behind.

Learning Checkup:

Students will take a quick 4 minute computer assessment of skills. They can repeat this often to improve their scores. Informal and formal assessment. Have students do the final skills test page without help.

Wrap Up:

Why do we need to practice our typing skills?

Why is it important to use proper keys and finger placement when typing (home row, shift)?