Objective

Students will learn about the different keys on a computer keyboard and their basic functions.

Prerequisites

Children should know about computer keyboard.

Goal

Operational Definition

All – This gives the goal, which is the minimum that the teacher must achieve for all students in the classroom.
Some – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for some students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘All’.
Few – This gives the goal that the teacher may try to achieve for few students in the classroom who can achieve the suggested goal over and above the goal stated for ‘Some’ and ‘All’.

Materials Required: 

Technology

• All children will name the different keys on a computer keyboard, a smartboard projector, and a screen.
• All devices like laptops, tablets and desktop computers with accessibility features enabled.
• Screen readers like JAWS and NVDA.
• Large keyboards, built-in screen magnifiers, hearing aids, text-to-speech and speech-to-text software.
• Voice recognition software like Siri, Windows Speech Recognition, etc.
• Headsets.
• Student writing or typing tools.

Teacher Materials

• Whiteboard and markers or blackboard and chalk.
• Pre-teach vocabulary cards, sight words, communication cards and worksheets.
• Lesson videos.

Student Handouts

• Handout 1: Communication Cards
• Handout 2: Vocabulary Cards
• Handout 4: Trace and Learn Card
• Handout 5: Yes or No Cards
• Handout 6: Thumbs Up and Down Card
• Handout 7: Worksheets
• Handout 8: Small whiteboard and markers

Print Preparation

• Communication Cards for students 
• Trace and Learn Cards for students 
• Vocabulary Cards for students
• Thumbs up and Thumbs down Card for students
• Yes or No Cards for students
• Pre-teach vocabulary cards, sight words cards.
• Worksheets for students

Preparation for the Activity:

1. All the learning and teaching materials needed for this lesson plan must be ready before the lesson begins.
2. Ensure that there are enough copies for all children. Multiple copies can be made by photocopying too.
3. Please have the assistive technologies and accessibility features ready for your inclusive classroom.

Setup for transacting the lesson:

This topic must be taught in the computer lab.

Notes to the Teacher:
Begin the topic with a pre-assessment worksheet and pre-teach the vocabulary.

1. Expected Prior Knowledge

Awareness of the extent of student’s prior knowledge of the topic will help the teacher plan and deliver the lesson appropriately.  
This could be assessed through the provided worksheet.

Worksheets, Vocabulary Cards, Sight Words:

Worksheet: Pre-Assessment

LTM: Pre-teach Vocabulary

2. Introduction

Greetings and Warm-Up:

Welcome students and ask if they have ever used a keyboard before.
Show a large keyboard poster or display a virtual keyboard on the screen.
Ask students to point out any keys they already know (e.g., letters, spacebar).

LTM: Large Keyboard Poster A4

LTM: Large Keyboard Poster A3

Overview of the Keyboard:
Explain that a keyboard is like a typewriter, and it helps us put words and numbers into the computer.
Briefly introduce the different sections of the keyboard (letters, numbers, spacebar, enter key, etc.)
Use the large display keyboard posters to highlight each section.

Exploring Alphabet keys:
Ask the children to focus on the alphabet keys. Point out that each key has a letter from A to Z
Play an interactive game where students find and press the keys that spell their name. For students with shorter names, encourage them to type their names multiple times.
Ask students to identify the first letter of different objects (e.g., “What letter does ‘apple’ start with? Now find that key on the keyboard!”).

3. Exploring Other Important Computer Keys

Guided Watching
Bring attention to the screen, saying, “Let’s watch this video.”
Ask students to give a thumbs up whenever they hear the words arrow key, enter key, caps lock key, shift key, spacebar key, backspace key and delete key in the video.
Play the video

Video: Keyboard Keys

Video: Keyboard Keys with ISL

Worksheets and Communication Cards:

Worksheet: Vocabulary

Worksheet: Trace and Learn

LTM: Thumbs Up and Down Card

LTM: Yes or No Cards

4. Let’s Explore the Keyboard:

Activity 1:
Give each student a small whiteboard and a marker. Ask them to look at the keyboard and write down one letter or number they find on the whiteboard.
Encourage students to share what they wrote and then find and press that key on the keyboard.

Activity 2:
Group Activity: Keyboard Matching Game:
Divide students into small groups. Give each group a set of alphabet flashcards.
Each student in the group picks a flashcard, finds the matching key on the keyboard, and presses it.
The first group to find all their letters wins.

Activity 3:
Play a quick round of “Simon Says” using the keyboard. For example, “Simon says press the A key!” or “Simon says press the spacebar!”

Video: Let’s Explore the Keyboard

5. Assessment

Observation: Monitor students as they explore and use the keyboard, ensuring they can identify and press the correct keys.
Participation: Note students’ engagement during the lesson, especially during the group activities and games.
Mini-Quiz: At the end, ask a few Wh questions (e.g., “What does the spacebar do?”) to assess understanding.

Worksheet: Wh questions

Try Me: Keyboard Keys

Adaptations and Modifications: Keyboard Keys

6. Follow-up activities

Typing Practice: In future lessons, introduce typing practice using simple words and sentences to reinforce key recognition.
Keyboard Art: Have students use the keyboard to create simple art (e.g., patterns using different symbols or letters).
Alphabet Hunt: Challenge students to find all the alphabet keys on a keyboard and type the entire alphabet.

7. Assistive Technologies

Video: Assistive Technologies

Teacher Resource Document

Source and Attribution of images: All images used in the above Assets and Aids are originally created/licensed.

This digital material has been developed by the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Inclusive Education, a unit of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, as a collaborative offering in the service of our nation.