Some tips to help students remember the home row keys
Once we start touch typing, it helps to remind kids that if they can play a video game without looking at the controls, they can learn to touch type. If they can play a musical instrument, they can learn to touch type. And if they learn to touch type, it will improve their gaming, playing, and instant messsaging!
With the youngest students, it sometimes helps to write the home row letters on their hands with a washable marker.
All students benefit from practicing their typing while waiting in lines. Students wait in lines for lunch, to go to music, PE, etc. Why not practice the home row keys while they wait? It can be very inconspicuous too. With their hands at their sides, they can touch type the home row on the side of their legs!
Students can practice at home, simply by typing their vocabulary or spelling words in any word processor.
If they want a more fun or structured way to learn typing, there are several links to free online typing programs in our school’s bookmark page:
http://guest.portaportal.com/mlbv
Under the Typing section, there are several different programs you can use.
