Primary Unit - Typing

This project may be completed by the following students:

Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd Grade Elementary Media Arts Students.

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Lessons

1. Typing Lesson

   1. Objectives: Students will be able to...
      • Identify the parts of a computer.
      • Understand what makes a computer run.
      • Use a password correctly.
      • Locate the home row on the keyboard.
      • Type selected keys with a minimum number of errors.

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   2. Grading Rubric (Note, these lessons are taught in the first half of the Primary course. The rubric takes this into account.):
      

      5 Points	Student focused on and completed the assigned task.
      4 Points	Student logged in but did not complete the assigned task.
      3 Points	Student tried a few times to log in, but then stopped.
      0 Points	Student made no attempt to log in.

   3. These lessons will usually (but not always) be taught during the 2nd Elementary Media Arts class of the week.
      • This will regulate these lessons to being taught almost exclusively on Thursdays and Fridays.
      • Due to the A-B-C Day Schedule, weeks where this class meets on a Wednesday will result in these lessons not being taught.
      • These lessons are meant to be graded as Assessments. PGCPS requires Elementary Media Arts Assessments to collectively count as 20% of the student's grade.
      • This schedule will allow for at least the minimum number of Assessments required by PGCPS while still devoting more lessons (and grades) to creative expression using digital media.
   4. While the tools will change, the structure of each lesson will remain the same.
      1. Students enter the room and are shown the tool that will be used that day.
         • The tool being used will either be Typing.com, Tux Typing, or Tux Math.
         • Early in the course, Typing.com will be used to help teach basic computer usage and vocabulary. Later, it will primarily be used for make-up work.
         • Most lessons covered here will be taught alternating between Tux Typing or Tux Math.
         • Students who are absent are expected to complete an assigned Typing.com lesson. Tux Typing and Tux Math do not allow for tracking of student progress outside of the classroom, but Typing.com (a tool approved by PGCPS) allows for this.
      2. Students log into the computers.
         • Early in the course, this will take more time.
         • Mr. Smith does not type passwords for the students, as learning to do this themselves is an important part of the curriculum.
         • Help is provided for those who need it, but "help" is not the same as "doing the work for the student."
         • Historically, this policy has led to all students eventually managing to log in without assistance. How long this takes depends on the student.
      3. Students open the computer's web browser or the installed Tux program.
         • Web browsers in the computer lab have this website set to be the homepage.
         • When using web based tools, students are shown how to navigate to the day's announcements, which will include a link to that day's tool. (In this case, Canvas.) Because this website is the default page, this is usually no more than two clicks of the mouse.
         • Additional work will be needed to log into Clever, but students will have access to their usernames and passwords. Learning and practicing how to log in are part of the curriculum.
      4. Students practice typing (or early in the course, learn how computers work).
         • These lessons can be repetitive, but that is the nature of practice.
         • The spacing of these lessons and alternation between letters and numbers is meant to help avoid monotony while still improving skills needed in this and other subjects.
      5. Students shut down the computers and line up to return to their classroom.

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Useful Resources

• Assigned Tools

  (Note: Students completing the work from home will almost exclusively use Typing.com.)
  1. Typing.com - Students are expected to log in using Clever, then find and click on the Typing.com icon.

• Installed Programs

  (These links are here in case the student wishes to use the program at home. No programs require a fee to download or use. Students completing work at home will NOT be required to use these programs.)
  • Tux Typing - A free program meant to teach and reinforce typing skills that can be installed on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
  • Tux Math (AKA Tux, of Math Command) - A free program meant to teach and reinforce math skills that can be installed on Windows, MacOS, and Linux.

Standards

• Concept: Computing Systems
  • Hardware & Software:
    • K. CS.HS.01 Identify by name and locate common computing devices and external hardware in a variety of environments, using appropriate technical terminology (e.g., mobile devices, desktop computer, laptop computer, mouse, keyboard, wearables).
    • 1. CS.HS.01 Identify and describe functions of common computing devices and external hardware (e.g., mobile devices, desktop computer, laptop computer, mouse, keyboard, printer, wearables).
    • 2. CS.HS.01 Identify internal and external components of a computer system and their basic functions (e.g., hard drive and memory) as well as peripherals (e.g., printers, scanners, external hard drives) and external storage features and their uses (e.g., cloud storage).
  • Concept: Networks and the Internet:
    • K. NI.C.01 Identify and use passwords and discuss why they are not shared with others.
    • 1. NI.C.01 Recognize what passwords are, why they are used, and why they are not shared.
    • 2. NI.C.01 Identify differences between strong and weak passwords and explain the importance of choosing strong passwords to protect devices and information from unauthorized users.

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