Keyboarding for the Christian School by Leanne Beitel is an e-book text containing 32 lessons for students in grades K-5. It covers the basic skills of touch typing, bringing back memories of the summer before 7th grade when my mom sat me down at our electric typewriter and started me through a touch typing book. As a former secretary and book-keeper, she knew the importance of fast, accurate typing. I don’t think she had any idea how important touch typing would become as computers took over. Along with the lessons, it also contains tests for determining speed and accuracy. Each lesson is headed by a Bible verse, and the timing tests are primarily Bible passages. The layout on each page is simple and uncluttered, perfect for early typists.
My 10 year old son has enjoyed working through the early lessons, and we will continue to schedule one each day until he begins to get frustrated. My 7 year old daughter did several lessons, but her eye/hand coordination is still developing, and she struggled with keeping her place on the page and keeping her eyes on the screen. Both of them liked the length of the lessons. It never took them more than ten minutes, and they both asked if they could do more each day.
Keyboarding for the Christian Schools, designed for grade 6 and up, is also available on the website. This book contains all the basic information as the elementary version along with creating tables and formatting a research paper. She also posts freebie lessons, along with ideas from other teachers, parents and students for projects to complete.
The touch typing e-book for elementary students is available for $12.95. Through February 28th, you can use the code NewYear5 in the discount box and receive $5.00 off your purchase of $12.95 or more. The older student e-book is $15.95. Purchase both for $22.00. Other combination packages are available for the older book including lesson plans and supplemental activities and lessons.
I’m thankful for a simple program that will teach my kids this essential skill without using a game, although that is in the budget for next year also.
Disclaimer: Christian Keyboarding/Leanne Beitel provided me with a copy of these materials for review purposes. The opinions expressed are based on my own or my family’s experience. I did not receive any other compensation.
