Computer Lab Homework

(updated 2/15/2008)

We are currently studying our homerow keys in all grades with
a special focus on them for third and fourth graders
and any students new to MNE this school year.

We have been working on studying a,s,d,f for our left hand homerow keys,
and j,k,l,; as the homerow keys for our right hand.
The students have a memorization exercise that we practiced
in class that they are to do each evening.
In addition, we have a phrase that will help the students learn
their homerow keys:
always stay drug free ~ jumping kangaroos leap ;

Each student will take a homerow key test for the third grading period
that will result in the effort portion of their grade on the report card.

The fifth and sixth grade students are also studying
the top row of letter keys ~
q,w,e,r,t for the left hand, and y,u,i,o,p for the right hand.
We call the keys on our left side the "qwert" keys and have a
phrase for the right hand side: your umbrella is open pal.

There are many excellent keyboarding programs available for students.
The one we currently use in the lab is All the Right Type.
In addition, there are many online websites where
students may practice their keyboarding skills.
Some recommended ones are:


http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/cjh/appliedtech/Business/Keyboarding/
http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~gammakeys/Lesson/Lesson1.htm

Please encourage your child to use the correct finger for each key when practicing keyboarding.
Once they get in the habit of typing with just a few fingers,
it is very difficult for them to correct that behavior.
Thanks for your help!
Please send me an e-mail if you have any questions.
Felecia Ruse ~ MNE Computer Lab Coordinator
felecia.ruse@cityschools.net