LESSON: Practice With the Keyboard- Grades 1-3

OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to correctly identify the letters of the alphabet.

MATERIALS:

• Computers with Internet access
• Projector
• Headphones

PROCEDURE:
Introduction:
Begin the lesson by asking students to recite the letters of the alphabet.  As a large group, students will respond by saying the letters that they know.  Next ask students how they can interact with the computer.  Discuss the answers that were given, highlighting the use of the mouse and the keyboard.  Ask the students what the know bout how to use the mouse and the keyboard.  Students should have some prior computer use and instructor will review that and what they already know.

Demonstration:
Use the computer and projector to show the students the Alphabet Action game.  Instruct students how to select a letter by clicking the left mouse button.  When a letter is clicked, students will hear the letter said as the watch the letter and a word that starts with that letter appear on the screen.  Select a few students to help demonstrate the game.

Practice:
Have the "Alphabet Action" web site bookmarked on all computers in the computer lab.  Students will use the left mouse button to click on the letters of the alphabet.

Enrichment:
Advanced students may need to have more of a challenge than this lesson.  Students that have gone beyond the objective can go to the A.B.Cow web site, playing the easy game.  On this web site, students need to decide which letter is missing from the alphabet.  Once they have discovered which letter is missing, they need to press that letter on the keyboard.

ASSESSMENT:
Informal assessment as instructor walks around and observes students using the mouse and the keyboard.