COURSE: Keyboarding
UNIT: A Keyboarding Skills
COMPETENCY: 01.00 Apply the touch method in operating the keyboard
and numeric keypad
OBJECTIVE: 01.02 Execute the touch method in operating the alphabetic
keys
Use the handout HO1 to review the importance of 01.02-HO 1
Activity using good posture and technique. Explain the Touch Method of
importance of using the touch method of keyboarding Keyboarding
and the rules involved.
Power
Use PPT to explain the position of the home row keys
Point on the keyboard. Demonstrate to students each 01.02-PPT
homerow key showing them the proper finger to use
and the proper stroking technique. Other techniques
to teach include spacebar tapping and the operation of
the enter key.
Allow students to locate each homerow key, enter key, Glencoe/McGraw-
Activity and spacebar looking at their fingers and practice the Hill Lesson 1
reach without striking the keys. Then ask students to Thompson/South-
look away (at the keyboarding chart or at you) and Western Lesson 1
strike the key as you dictate it. Direct students to Pearson Lessons 1
strike the key only as it is called. and 2
Activity
Have students complete ACT 1 on home row keys and 01.02-ACT 1
ACT 2 on finger names. Home Row Keys
Key 01.02-ACT 1
01.02-ACT 2
Finger Names
Key 01.02-ACT 2
Teacher Tip Explain the position of the each additional new key on
the keyboard. Demonstrate to students each new Glencoe/McGraw-
reach showing them the proper finger to use and the Hill Lessons 2-20
proper stroking technique. Allow students to locate Thompson/South-
each home row key, enter key, and spacebar looking Western Lessons
at their fingers and practice the reach without striking 2-12 and also New
the keys. Then ask students to look away (at the Key lessons, pp.
keyboarding chart or at you) and strike the key as you 244-278
dictate it. Direct students to strike the key only as it is Pearson Lessons 2-
called. Use this method to introduce each new 24
alphabetic reach. Introduce only 4-6 new reaches
in one week.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 1
Activity/ Use dictated drills on any exercise in textbook for Any exercises in
students to practice new keystrokes using touch textbook
Teacher Tip keyboarding. Ask the students to strike the key as you
dictate it while keeping their eyes on the keyboarding
chart or on you. Vary the speed as students become
more confident with new keystrokes.
Activity/ Use lines in the text for speed drills of 20 seconds, 30 Any exercises in
seconds, and 60 seconds. Give each timing in a textbook
Teacher Tip series of three drills using the same line; for instance,
for three 20 second drills, then three 30 second drills,
etc. Each student should set a personal goal to get at
least one or two characters farther for each drill. This
will motivate the students to key faster because they
will see improvement immediately.
Teacher Tip At an appropriate point or when indicated in text, give 01.02-HO 2
two or three one-minute timed drills and use HO 2 to Computing GWAM
explain to students how to compute GWAM. Record 01.02-RB 1
each student’s timing. Use the checklist RB 1 or the or
rubric RB 2 to assess keying straight copy alphabetic 01.02-RB 2
sentences and paragraphs. Do not give a formal Straight Copy
grade for timed writings at this time. Skills Performance
Rubric
Teacher Tip As needed, use the following websites for review and
typing practice:
http://www.quia.com/jg/334481.html
Keyboarding technique
http://www.quia.com/cm/50448.html
Review of fingering for alphabetic keys
http://www.quia.com/jw/95821.html
Keyboarding phrases
http://www.quia.com/cb/68214.html
Keyboarding jeopardy
http://www.quia.com/jg/534830.html
Basic keyboarding
http://www.gamequarium.com/keyboarding.htm
Typing practice
http://www.mrkent.com/typingtest/index.asp
Typing Tests
Review the words in the vocabulary list. 01.02-VOC
Vocabulary Vocabulary
When all the letter keys have been introduced, for 01.02-ACT 3 and
Activity review have the students complete ACT 3 on the Key 01.02-ACT 3
location of the keys
Use ACT 4 as a review or for a grade. 01.02-ACT 4 and
Activity
Key 01.02-ACT 4
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 2
HO 1
Touch Method of Keyboarding
1. Examine the keyboard carefully to
form a mental picture of the layout.
2. Keep your eyes on the copy.
3. Place your fingers on the center of
each key with the fingers slightly
curved.
4. Keep your wrists straight, low, and
not touching the machine.
5. Strike the keys firmly and release
them quickly.
6. Do not look at your fingers while
striking the keys. Eyes on copy!!
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 3
ACT 1
HOME ROW KEYS
The home row keys are: _ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ____.
On the blank provided, write the home row key
which is struck by that finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 4
KEY ACT 1
HOME ROW KEYS
The home row keys are: _A_ _S_ _D_ _F_ _J_ _K_ _L _;_
On the blank provided, write the home row key
which is struck by that finger.
A
K
S D J L
F
A ;
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 5
ACT 2
Finger Placement and Name
Indicate on the blank provided the correct name of each finger.
The left index finger. The right index finger.
The left middle finger. The right middle finger.
The left ring finger. The right ring finger.
The left pinky/little finger. The right pinky/little finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 6
KEY ACT 2
Finger Placement and Name
Right
Left Left Right
ring middle Right middle
index ring
Left
Left index
pinky Right
pinky
Indicate on the blank provided the correct name of each finger.
The left index finger. The right index finger.
The left middle finger. The right middle finger.
The left ring finger. The right ring finger.
The left pinky/little finger. The right pinky/little finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 7
HO 2
Computing GWAM
Keyboarding speed is measured in words per
minute. GWAM (Gross Words A Minute) is the
number of keystrokes a typist can make in a
timed period. A standard keyboarding word is
five characters or any combination of five
characters or spaces. The following sentence
has how many standard keyboarding words?
All middle school students should learn to keyboard.
(Answer: There are 55 characters and spaces in this sentence so there are 11
standard keyboarding words in the sentence (55 characters/spaces divided by 5).
To determine your keyboarding GWAM:
Type for a specific number of minutes as directed by your teacher.
Determine the number of standard keyboarding words words you
keyed. Remember every five strokes (characters and spaces) count
as one word.
Divide the total number of words keyed by the number of minutes that
you were timed.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 8
Name RB1
Keyboarding Middle Grades
STRAIGHT COPY SKILLS PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST
(Alphabetic Keys)
This rubric should be used to assess keying straight copy alphabetic sentences and paragraphs.
Points
Criteria Points Earned Teacher Comments
Value
Copy
Accuracy 20
Body
Position 20
Hand and
Finger Position 20
Eye-Head
Position 20
Keystroking
Technique 20
Total
Copy Accuracy--keying and spacing errors; omissions/additions
Body Position--sitting up straight, feet flat on floor, etc.
Hand and Finger Position--wrists off table, fingers curved and on home row, etc.
Eye-Head Position--eyes on copy, etc.
Keystroking Technique--fingers strike proper keys, correct use of shift, tab, return, etc.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 9
Name RB 2
Keyboarding Middle Grades
STRAIGHT COPY SKILLS PERFORMANCE RUBRIC
(Alphabetic Keys)
This rubric should be used to assess keying straight copy alphabetic sentences and paragraphs.
Criteria
Points
Earned
High Achievement Satisfactory Needs Improvement
Copy Few words omitted or added. Many words omitted or added.
Accuracy No words omitted or added. Copy Two or less keying errors, omissions Three or more keying errors,
is exactly like original copy. or additions when compared to omissions or additions when
(20 points) original copy. compared to original copy.
(20 points) (10 – 19 points) (0 – 9 points)
All of the following performed Three of the following performed Inconsistent performance:
consistently: consistently: Feet flat on floor
Feet flat on floor Feet flat on floor Sits erect in chair
Body Sits erect in chair Sits erect in chair Body in line with keyboard
Position Body in line with keyboard Body in line with keyboard Arms relaxed against sides
(20 points) Arms relaxed against sides Arms relaxed against sides
(20 points) (10 – 19 points) (0 – 9 points)
All of the following performed Three of the following performed Inconsistent performance:
Hand and consistently: consistently: Wrists properly elevated
Wrists properly elevated Wrists properly elevated Fingers properly curved
Finger Fingers properly curved Fingers properly curved Fingers rest on home row when not
Position Fingers rest on home row when Fingers rest on home row when not striking a key
(20 points) not striking a key striking a key
(20 points) (10 – 19 points) (0 – 9 points)
Performed consistently: Performed with only occasional Constantly looking:
Eye-Head Eyes on copy peeking: Eyes on copy
Strike keys without looking at Eyes on copy Strike keys without looking at hands
Position hands Strike keys without looking at hands
(20 points) (20 points) (10 – 19 points) (0 – 9 points)
Performed consistently: Two of following performed Inconsistent performance:
Fingers stike keys with minimal consistently: Fingers strike keys with minimal
hand/arm movement Fingers strike keys with minimal hand/arm movement
Keystroking Proper use of shift key hand/arm movement Proper use of shift key
Technique Correct fingers used for each key Proper use of shift key Correct fingers used for each key
(20 points) Correct fingers used for each key
(20 points) (10 – 19 points) (0-59points)
Total
(100 possible
points)
Comments:
Practice the circled keys to reinforce correct keyboarding patterns
w e r t y u i o p 7 8 9
a s d f g h j k l ; ‘ 4 5 6
z x c v b n m , . / 1 2 3
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 10
VOC
VOCABULARY
1.02 Execute the touch method in operating the alphabetic keys.
Term Definition
Alphabetic keys Letter keys on the keyboard
Enter/return Used to move the cursor down a line
GWAM (Gross Words a Minute) The number of keystrokes a typist can make
in a timed period; can calculate by dividing the
total number of standard words keyed by the
number of minutes that the typist was timed.
QWERTY keyboard The most commonly used keyboard
arrangement.
Space bar Used to insert spaces between characters.
Standard keyboarding word Five characters or any combination of five
characters and spaces.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 11
ACT 3
Color Coding Keyboarding
Correct Fingers
Directions: Color the alphabet keys, shift keys, and enter / return key as
follows.
Color the keys you strike with your left index finger (“f” finger) orange.
Color the keys you strike with your right index finger (“j” finger) yellow.
Color the keys you strike with your left middle finger (“d” finger) brown.
Color the keys you strike with your right middle finger (“k” finger) purple.
Color the keys you strike with your left ring finger (“s” finger) red.
Color the keys you strike with your right ring finger (“l” finger) green.
Color the keys you strike with your left pinky finger (“a” finger) blue.
Color the keys you strike with your right pinky finger (“;” finger) black.
Color the key you strike with your thumb .
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 12
KEY ACT 3
Color Coding Keyboarding
Correct Fingers
Directions: Color the alphabet keys, shift keys, and enter / return key as follows.
Color the keys you strike with your left index finger (“f” finger) orange.
Color the keys you strike with your right index finger (“j” finger) yellow.
Color the keys you strike with your left middle finger (“d” finger) brown.
Color the keys you strike with your right middle finger (“k” finger) purple.
Color the keys you strike with your left ring finger (“s” finger) red.
Color the keys you strike with your right ring finger (“l” finger) green.
Color the keys you strike with your left pinky finger (“a” finger) blue.
Color the keys you strike with your right pinky finger (“;” finger) black.
Color the key you strike with your thumb .
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 13
ACT 4
Keyboarding Quiz
DIRECTIONS: Use the keyboard picture above to answer the questions.
1. The “a s d f” homerow keys are struck by the 1.______
A. left hand. B. right hand. C. either hand.
2. The “j k l ;” homerow keys are struck by the 2.______
A. left hand. B. right hand. C. either hand.
3. The “z” key and the “q” key are struck by the 3.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
4. The “x” key and the “w” key are struck by the 4.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
5. The “x” key and the “w” key are struck by the 5.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
6. The “v” key and the “r” key are struck by the 6.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
7. The “t” key is struck by the 7.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 14
ACT 4, Page 2
8. The “g” key and the “b” key are struck by the 8.______
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
9. The “p” key is struck by the 9.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
10. The “o” key is struck by the 10.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
11. The “i” key is struck by the 11.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
12. The “u” key is struck by the 12.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
13. The “m” key is struck by the 13.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
14. The “h” key and “n” key are struck by the 14.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
15. The “y” key is struck by the 15.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
16. The “u” key and “m” keys are struck by the 16.______
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
17. The left shift key is struck by the 17.______
A. right ring finger. B. right pinky finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
18. The right shift key is struck by the 18.______
A. right ring finger. B. right pinky finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 15
ACT 4, Page 3
19. The enter/return key is struck by the 19.______
A. left thumb. B. right thumb.
C. left pinky finger. D. right pinky finger.
20. The space bar is struck by the 20.______
A. right index finger. B. left index finger.
C. right thumb. D. left thumb.
21. What is your GWAM if you typed 60 characters/spaces 21. _____
in one minute?
A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18
22. What key is used to move the cursor to the next line? 22.
A. Alphabetic B. Enter/return
C. Space bar D. Technique
23. What key is used to insert spaces between characters? 23.
A. Alphabetic B. Enter/return
C. Space bar D. Technique
24. What is the most commonly used keyboard arrangement? 24.
A. Alphabetic B. Numeric
C. QWERTY D. Touch
25. What is your GWAM if you typed 125 characters/spaces 25. _____
in one minute?
A. 15 B. 20 C. 25 D. 30
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 16
KEY ACT 4
Keyboarding Quiz
DIRECTIONS: Use the keyboard picture above to answer the questions.
1. The “a s d f” homerow keys are struck by the 1.___A___
A. left hand. B. right hand. C. either hand.
2. The “j k l ;” homerow keys are struck by the 2.___B___
A. left hand. B. right hand. C. either hand.
3. The “z” key and the “q” key are struck by the 3.___D___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
4. The “x” key and the “w” key are struck by the 4.___C___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
5. The “c” key and the “e” key are struck by the 5.___B___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
6. The “v” key and the “r” key are struck by the 6.___A___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
7. The “t” key is struck by the 7.___A___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
KEY ACT 4, Page 2
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 17
8. The “g” key and the “b” key are struck by the 8.___A___
A. left index finger. B. left middle finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
9. The “p” key is struck by the 9.___D___
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
10. The “o” key is struck by the 10.___C___
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
11. The “i” key is struck by the 11.____B__
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
12. The “u” key is struck by the 12.____A__
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
13. The “m” key is struck by the 13.____A__
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
14. The “h” key and “n” key are struck by the 14. _A____
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
15. The “y” key is struck by the 15.____A__
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
16. The “u” key and “m” keys are struck by the 16.____A__
A. right index finger. B. right middle finger.
C. right ring finger. D. right pinky finger.
17. The left shift key is struck by the 17.____D__.
A. right ring finger. B. right pinky finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
18. The right shift key is struck by the 18.____B__
A. right ring finger. B. right pinky finger.
C. left ring finger. D. left pinky finger.
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 18
KEY ACT 4, Page 3
19. The enter/return key is struck by the 19.____D__
A. left thumb. B. right thumb.
C. left pinky finger. D. right pinky finger.
20 The space bar is struck by the 20.____C__
A. right index finger. B. left index finger.
C. right thumb. D. left thumb.
21. What is your GWAM if you typed 60 characters/spaces 21. ___B
in one minute?
A. 10 B. 12 C. 15 D. 18
22. What key is used to move the cursor to the next line? 22. B
A. Alphabetic B. Enter/return
C. Space bar D. Technique
23. What key is used to insert spaces between characters? 23. C
A. Alphabetic B. Enter/return
C. Space bar D. Technique
24. What is the most commonly used keyboard arrangement? 24. C
A. Alphabetic B. Numeric
C. QWERTY D. Touch
25. What is your GWAM if you typed 125 characters/spaces 25. ___C__
in one minute?
A. 15 B. 20
C. 25 D. 30
6511 Keyboarding Unit A 01.02 Page 19