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Keyboarding and Literacy

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Keyboarding is a literacy skill, therefore it is appropriate that it be included in the daily literacy block. 
"Early [keyboarding] introduction reduces bad habit development and provides additional benefits that include improvements in spelling, writing, and reading comprehension." 
~Leigh Zeitz, "When to Teach Keyboarding."
How does keyboarding tie into literacy?
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Student writing develops faster through word processing because it facilitates the review and revision learning process. Efficient keyboarding skills allow students to emphasize concept development instead of key location.

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"Keyboarding facilitates skill development in writing.  Students who can keyboard are not only faster but also more imaginative.  They are free to think about composing text or copying material rather than constantly trying to find their place."
~USOE

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“In just three short months of keyboarding... a teacher in the Salt Lake City elementary schools noticed benefits. She reported that [students] recognize structure better and pay more attention to details.”
~Salt Lake Tribune

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"The problem is that we can think much faster than we can put words down on paper... While we will never be able to completely close the gap between though and recording speed, a fast typist comes a lot closer than a slow one."
~Michael J. Himowitz, The Baltimore Sun

What are some examples of activities that focus on keyboarding and literacy?
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Distributed Practice
Students are provided more frequent exposure to ELA content and skills when they are given keyboarding assignments that tie to the week's studies.

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Literacy Practice Stations
A small bank of computers at a literacy practice station can allow students to practice keyboarding and other needed literacy skills simultaneously while the teacher meets with students for skill-based small group instruction.

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Increasing Opportunities to Respond
Students can use computers and other devices to type responses during ELA lessons, increasing their opportunities to respond while utilizing keyboarding skills.

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Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
Students can type vocabulary words, definitions, and example sentences in addition to verbally sharing during vocabulary instruction.

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High-Frequency Words
"Keyboard Chatter drills students on high frequency words - particularly those which are used in traditional spelling and reading books on the elementary level; thus, the keyboarding instruction reinforces the reading and spelling experiences of the students."
~Keyboard Chatter teacher manual, page ii

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Active Reading Strategies
Students can type information into word processing documents or editable pdfs for the following reading activities:
  • Note-Taking: Summarizing,  Skeletal Notes, Cornel Notes, Double-Entry Journal
  • Comprehension: Charting the Text, Charting Verbs List, Cite Textual Evidence, Story Elements, Text Features/Structures, SQ3R, Graphic Organizers

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Reading
  • Type high-frequency reading words
  • Type reading responses
  • Interactive Venn Diagram on ReadWriteThink

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Writing
  • Electronic student journal in Word, Pages, or Google Docs
  • Student or class Blogs
  • Compose business letters
  • Create resumes and cover letters
  • Type interview questions, responses, and reflections
  • Create comic strips in ComicLife
  • Create presentations in PowerPoint or Keynote
  • Type stories, poems, and other creative writing assignments
  • Poetry on ReadWriteThink
  • Letter Generator on ReadWriteThink
  • Essay Map on ReadWriteThink
  • Wacky Web Tales
  • Scholastic Story Starters
  • Type 6 Trait essays
  • UtahWrite.com

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Language
  • Type spelling words
  • Puzzlemaker
  • Spelling and Vocab City
  • Type sentences using vocabulary words
  • Type DOL and other grammar practice sentences and paragraphs

Links:
Keyboarding Home
This We Believe About Keyboarding
Why Teach Keyboarding?
District Keyboarding Program
          Keyboard Chatter
          Keyboard Craze
          Keyboard Connection
          Keyboarding for Kids
          Keyboard Mastery
          Keyboarding Activities
Tips for Keyboarding Success
Keyboarding in Brain Boosters
​5th Grade Keyboarding Assessment
Keyboarding Core Curriculum
Literacy and Keyboarding
​
USOE Keyboarding Website
Documentation:
USOE Keyboarding Movie
Middle School Stand-Alone Schedule
Middle School Embedded Schedule
Keyboarding Data for Middle Schools
Middle School Keyboarding Curriculum Comparison
Keyboard Images/Handouts
Colored Keyboard
Colored Keyboard Finger Families
Colored Keyboard Finger Families
Black & White Keyboard
Blank Keyboard
Black & White Keyboard (Windows)
Laptop Keyboard (Windows)
Black Keyboard (Chromebook)
White Keyboard (Chromebook)
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Our mission is to improve teaching and learning through the use of appropriate technologies,
supporting students in their progress toward college-, career-, and citizenship-readiness.

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