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Code & Keyboard Conquerors!

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Lesson Plan

Code & Keyboard Conquerors!

Students will be able to identify basic concepts of computer coding and understand the importance of typing proficiency. They will also practice fundamental typing techniques.

In our increasingly digital world, understanding how computers work through code and being able to communicate effectively with them through efficient typing are crucial skills for academic success and future careers. This lesson lays the groundwork for digital literacy.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, quick demonstration, and hands-on typing practice.

Materials

Code & Keyboard Conquerors! Slide Deck, Warm-Up: Digital Brainstorm, Typing Practice Activity, and Cool-Down: Code & Keyboard Check

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick Warm-Up: Digital Brainstorm to activate prior knowledge about computers and technology.
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion based on student responses.

Step 2

What is Code? (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Use the Code & Keyboard Conquerors! Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to introduce what computer coding is, why it's important, and examples in everyday life.
    - Engage students with questions about their interactions with technology driven by code.

Step 3

Typing: Your Coding Superpower! (10 minutes)

10 minutes

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Cool-Down (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a brief reflection.
    - Conclude with the Cool-Down: Code & Keyboard Check activity to assess initial understanding and gather feedback.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Future Innovators!

Today, we're unlocking two secret powers:

  • Computer Coding: The language of computers!
  • Typing: Your super-speedy way to talk to them!

Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic for today: computer coding and typing. Ask them to think about how computers affect their daily lives.

What is Computer Code?

Code is like a recipe for a computer.

It's a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.

Think about it: What everyday things use code?

Explain what coding is in simple terms – giving instructions to computers. Ask students to share examples of things they use or see daily that rely on code.

Code Is Everywhere!

From your favorite apps and games to websites and smart devices, code makes it all happen!

  • Video Games: Code controls characters, levels, and scores.
  • Social Media: Code helps you connect with friends.
  • Self-driving Cars: Code tells the car where to go!

Provide clear, engaging examples of where code is used, making it relevant to their lives. Emphasize that almost everything digital involves code.

Typing: Your Coding Superpower!

Imagine writing an amazing story or building a cool game.

How will you tell the computer your ideas?

Typing is key! It helps you:

  • Communicate quickly
  • Write code efficiently
  • Save time!

Transition to typing. Explain that just as code is the computer's language, typing is how we speak to the computer. Highlight efficiency.

Time to Practice!

Let's get those fingers flying!

  1. Go to the typing website provided.
  2. Focus on correct posture and finger placement (home row!).
  3. Practice for 5-7 minutes.

Don't worry about speed yet, focus on accuracy!

Give specific instructions for the typing practice activity. Remind them about proper posture and finger placement.

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Warm Up

Digital Brainstorm: What Powers Our World?

Instructions: Think about all the technology you interact with every day. In the spaces below, write down as many examples as you can, and then try to guess what makes them work.

My Digital World:

  1. Technology I use/see:



    What makes it work (your best guess!):


  2. Technology I use/see:



    What makes it work (your best guess!):


  3. Technology I use/see:



    What makes it work (your best guess!):


Share and Discuss:

  • What were some common technologies you thought of?
  • Did anyone have similar ideas about what makes them work?
  • Do you think humans are involved in making these technologies work?
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Activity

Typing Practice: Get Your Fingers Ready!

Objective: To improve your typing speed and accuracy by focusing on correct finger placement and posture.

Instructions:

  1. Find Your Home Row: Place your left index finger on the 'F' key and your right index finger on the 'J' key. Your other fingers should naturally rest on the A, S, D and K, L, ; keys.
  2. Posture Check: Sit up straight, feet flat on the floor, and wrists elevated slightly above the keyboard.
  3. Go Online: Navigate to the typing website your teacher has provided (e.g., TypingClub, Keybr, or another designated site).
  4. Practice Time: Spend the next 5-7 minutes working through the exercises. Focus on:
    • Accuracy: Try to hit the correct keys every time, even if it means going slower.
    • Finger Placement: Use the correct fingers for each key – avoid "hunting and pecking" with just one or two fingers.
    • Eyes on Screen: Try not to look at your keyboard! Look at the screen instead.

Reflection (after practice):

  • What felt challenging during the typing practice?


  • What is one thing you want to remember for next time you practice typing?


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Cool Down

Code & Keyboard Check: Exit Ticket

Instructions: Please answer the following questions to reflect on what you learned today.

  1. In your own words, what is computer code? Why is it important in our daily lives?





  2. Why is learning to type efficiently considered a "superpower" when it comes to using computers and coding?





  3. What is one new thing you learned or one skill you practiced today that you want to continue working on?





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