Adding ELA to Computer Lab

My school is very focused on ELA (English Language Arts) right now, so I wanted to add some ELA components to my computer lab lessons.  I was finally able to do this in week 4, once we began typing!

I began by teaching my students how to open a Microsoft Word document (I have a whole unit on Microsoft office later, so I don't address any shortcuts or tool usage here).

I gave my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders a writing prompt: If you could invent one new subject to study at school, what would it be?

Notice my underlined words? The word "one" circles? There were also arrows drawn to the beginning capitalized letter and the ending punctuation.  This is because those things are key!  I want them to pick ONE (and only one) NEW (not ELA, math, PE, Art, etc) subject.  I also expect every sentence to begin with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.  My students type at least four complete sentences and I read their response before they are able to move on to the next activity. For some students, the standard has to be amended. I have asked a student to verbally tell me his four sentences, then pick out one key word from each sentence for the student to sound out and type.

For my 2nd graders, I have them typing 5 sentences from the Dolch word 2nd grade list (provided by my school). I type the sentences and project them on the board and they just retype the sentences at their computer.

My 1st graders started by typing just sight words, 6 words, 5 times each.

My Kindergarteners at this point were still working on mouse skills...and opening and closing programs. I picked a different mouse control game for them and taught them again how to open a program, point their mouse, click their moues and close a program.  Guys, the first month of Kindergarten is rough...don't get discouraged...it gets BETTER, I promise.

You can find my actual lesson plan here.

Are you adding any ELA into your computer class? What are some different ways to add ELA and Math?  Do you have a writing prompt you just love?

Let's Type!

By the third week of school, I was getting into a nice groove and ready to start our typing lessons with everyone except Kindergarten.  My Kindergarteners still needed to learn to use a mouse!

 For Kindergarten, I went to abcya.com and chose a mouse skill game from the Kindergarten skills section. I chose Build a House, because I felt it would appeal to all of my students.  I used google chrome to place a short cut on each of my computers (this is a long and daunting task, I REALLY need to find an easier way!).  While we were all still sitting at my carpeted area, I showed the students how to use their mouse to point at the icon and double click. I then showed them all the tools in the game and how to use them. Finally, I sent each student to their computer to try the game on their own. I think I had to open the game for 95% of my students and I had some who could not use the tools.  I spent each class period walking from student to student to help them each complete one task. Kindergarten class seemed looooong this week, but looking back it was so worth it!

Also, since then, I have found a much better mouse skills game called Bees and Honey! It takes kids step by step through pointing the mouse where you want, clicking and then clicking and dragging.  I LOVE this game!

For my First and Second graders, I am using Dance Mat Typing from BBC. It is a fun game that teaches children touch typing using the correct fingers. It is music based and funny.  They love it!

For my Third through Fifth grades, I am using typing.com. Typing.com allows you to set up your own classrooms and student lists and give each student their own log-in....for FREE!  It allows you to run reports and track progress and keeps typing test scores. Wonderful, wonderful resource!

You can find my full lesson plan here.

Do you have any easier ways for putting shortcuts on computers?  Should I just get brave enough to let them navigate there on their own?