We use Keyboarding without Tears because our school already uses Handwriting without Tears.  I don't know the cost.  I think it is as good as any program I have seen.  It uses color coded finger pictures to get you to use the correct keys, which I like. It tracks kids year to year.  There are a lot of drag and drop activities for K and grade 1, which helps with mouse dexterity.

The problem with all of these is that kids won't use the correct fingers unless you stand over them, and that gets really tiring.  They are able to advance through the program even if they hunt and peck. We don't have a computer class anymore (preK-4 school).  I used to take classes to the computer lab for keyboarding from time to time, but now I have a computer science curriculum instead.  Teachers are supposed to find the time, and I don't think they find much.

.   

I sometimes question the practicality of the whole endeavor.  Hands are too small for the keyboard, and by the time they are big enough, they have the 2 thumb text habit.  My adult daughter (age 31) said to me "didn't they give up on that in my generation? Kids are not going to learn to type properly.  They will figure out a system that works for them."

Elaine Shapiro

Broad Brook School

On Thu, Jun 6, 2019 at 11:41 AM Carrie Seiden <cseiden@northbranfordschools.org> wrote:

Hello all, 

Our school district is in a place of wanting to build up the keyboarding skills of our elementary school students. Is anyone out there using an endorsement-worthy typing program—free or paid? 

Thanks in advance for the help! 

Carrie 

--

Carrie G. Seiden, M.L.S

Certified Teacher-Librarian & Gifted Education Specialist

2020 CT Nutmeg Selection Committee Member

Totoket Valley Elementary School

1388 Middletown Avenue

Northford, CT 06472

phone 203 484-1455 fax 203 484-6090

follow me on twitter @lovealibrary

Quality school library programs ensure that all students learn essential 21st-Century skills

"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." -- Marcus Tullius Cicero

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