We've looked at buying typing software in the past, but it always gets booted off our order at the last minute. My oldest daughter forged ahead on her own and taught herself the proper typing technique, but my other children still use the hunt and peck method. Teaching proper keyboarding techniques has been on my should do soon list for a couple years.
Thankfully, as a TOS Homeschool Crew member, we received Keyboarding for the Christian School in both the elementary (K-5 grades) and original (6-12 grades) versions. These are both e-books, which are downloaded from the internet to your computer, in the form of a simple PDF document. When you open the document, you'll find typing lessons that start out much the way mine did in school. First, you learn the correct finger positions. Then you practice typing strings of letters. You move on to words, sentences, Bible verses, and then you practice typing different forms like business letters, bibliographies, and reports.
My 12 year old daughter decided to tackle the original Keyboarding For The Christian School text. She was ready to move beyond her hunt and peck method. We printed out the original e-book, and placed it in a 3-ring binder for her. She threw herself into the lessons, often completing more than one per day. After she first began to use the correct hand positions, she tested her speed, and had a speed of 9 words per minute. Last night, she tested again, and is currently working at 28 words per minute. She has pushed herself through this curriculum in just a couple weeks. She was determined to finish it before the review was due.
She has learned how to type correctly, although continued practice will improve her speed. She has also learned how to format different types of documents. Although my 14 year old doesn't feel that she needs any more typing lessons, I will also use this curriculum with her to show her that there is a standard format for different types of writing projects. That isn't something we've covered yet, but as a high school student she needs to begin to use proper formatting for her reports, and writing assignments.
The Keyboarding for the Christian School e-books are not flashy or exciting, but they work! The original version for older students can be completely self-taught. At the price of $15.95 for the original version and $12.95 for the elementary version, they are also quite affordable. They are completely re-usable, although the copyright is for your family's use only. You can not re-sell them or share them with others. You can view sample pages here.
For a limited time, you can save $5 on your order of $12.95 or more, by typing the code NewYear5 in the Discount Code section of the ordering process. That will save you $5 if used before February 28, 2010.
It's simple. It's effective. We recommend the Keyboarding For The Christian School e-books. I'm looking forward to using them with the rest of my children, as well.
This item was provided free for our review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew. We received no other compensation, and this review is our honest opinion. Click the TOS Homeschool Crew banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.
Trusting In Him,
April
