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Maria B. Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 16 2006 Location: Virginia
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Posted: July 03 2007 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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Anyone have a good typing tutorial/CD to recommend for a fourth grader?
Thanks!
__________________ Maria in VA
Proud Mom to 10 Great kids!
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Mary G Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 03 2007 at 4:28pm | IP Logged
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Hands down, the best of all software is Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing -- the games are fun for multiple ages, there is a tracking/grading program included so you can see progress or weak areas, it covers not only typing for 10-key input and a bit of word-processing.
I taught computers K-8 in parochial schools and I saw a lot of different programs. Mavis the best.
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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ElizLeone Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 09 2006 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: July 03 2007 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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We absolutely love Mavis Beacon! The kids ask to play it, as if it was a game. And they are learning rapidly! It's wonderful.
__________________ Elizabeth in Wisconsin
7 kids, 1 little saint
Munchkins on the Path
Our Adoption
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Becky Parker Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005 Location: Michigan
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Posted: July 04 2007 at 7:19am | IP Logged
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My friend uses Mavis Beacon and also highly recommends it. Trouble is, I ordered it through Rainbow Resourses and they are saying there is a new addition coming out, but it's not out yet and so I can't get it.
Maybe I should go through Amazon instead. Thanks for the link!
__________________ Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Mary G Forum All-Star
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Posted: July 04 2007 at 9:29am | IP Logged
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Becky,
Go thru Amazon -- also sometimes you can get the previous version cheaper (and they don't really add that much, usually just a different game ....)
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Mackfam Board Moderator
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Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: July 04 2007 at 10:21am | IP Logged
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Ditto on Mavis Beacon - you might try Walmart or Target - that's where we got ours for $10!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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nicole-amdg Forum Pro
Joined: April 16 2007 Location: Georgia
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Posted: Aug 11 2007 at 7:56pm | IP Logged
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Reviving this thread to ask if Mavis Beacon has a good kids' version for a Mac?
__________________ Nicole
Wife to
Mom to
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 6:42am | IP Logged
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Nicole, I was just wondering about typing programs too! Thanks for reviving this.
My : Typing programs for a Laptop, are there any? No classic keyboard here, though I suppose I could find an old one somewhere to practice on if I have to. But it just seems like there'd be a program for laptops since they are so very popular now.
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Mary G Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 7:53am | IP Logged
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Nicole -- here's the MAC OS version AND XP that's how she packages it -- it's the same program for all ages (when you set the parameters for each user, you can set the "age group" also). It really is a great program.
Jennifer -- an old keyboard, or even one that you print out, can be quite useful just for getting the right finger-strokes and placement. You could probably find an old keyboard at a thrift store -- it doesn't even have to work, just be able to have her get used to the feel of the keys.
That said, if all you have is a laptop, by all means, have her learn on that. The keys are still the same -- the only difference is the 10-key pad not being there. In other words, there is no reason Marianna couldn't learn using Mavis on your laptop.
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 8:14am | IP Logged
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Thanks!
I think this is the year for it, break several bad habits before they are too deeply ingrained, you know!
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Mary G Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 9:23am | IP Logged
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marihalojen wrote:
break several bad habits before they are too deeply ingrained, you know! |
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You mean like the two-finger typing my dh still does? Tell her too, when she goes to college she can usually pick up a bit of $ by typing other kids' papers ....
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Devoted Forum Newbie
Joined: June 27 2007
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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I believe that's called Biblical Typing: Seek and ye shall find!
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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J.Anne Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 24 2006
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Posted: Aug 13 2007 at 2:28pm | IP Logged
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At what age would you all recommend starting a typing program?
__________________ Jennifer
http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com
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Lorri Forum Pro
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Posted: Aug 14 2007 at 7:56am | IP Logged
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J.Anne wrote:
At what age would you all recommend starting a typing program? |
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I have my 8 yo (will be 9 in 2 months) using Typing Instructor for Kids. He really, really likes it! It's geared for 8 and up, and it uses a series of lessons, challenges and games to build accuracy and speed. He goes through various "lands" on an island as he works his way to the castle. Before it'll let him into the castle, he has to be at 15 WPM. You can go in and set the goal WPM based on each person's skill. He was whipping through each lesson, but only getting 5 WPM, so I changed his goal and now he's going back and redoing each lesson until he can get to 12 WPM. Then I'll let him continue with the rest of the lessons.
My 6yo wants to learn to type, too, now. I'm considering letting her, but I don't want her to get frustrated and give up and not want to try again later.
__________________ Lorri
mom to
The Mac and Cheese Chronicles
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Mary G Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 14 2007 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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J.Anne wrote:
At what age would you all recommend starting a typing program? |
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I'd start when they're intersted and know the alphabet ... one of the most stressful aspects of typing is that the keyboard is set for efficiency, not alphabetically ....
One thing you can do is have your little ones play with old keyboards and learn the letters and their placement ... you can also print out a paper keyboard (here's one or this one ... then it's just a matter of practice, practice, practice!
__________________ MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Tina P. Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 21 2007 at 4:28pm | IP Logged
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Reviving this thread. Mary, the Amazon reviews of Mavis Beacon aren't encouraging. The British spelling isn't such a problem with us. But the ones that say that MB isn't good for a beginner, that there's third party program installation, that it will crash your system, that there's no customer support ... well, those just scare me. Is there anything else out there? Or should I just risk using MB?
__________________ Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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SeaStar Forum Moderator
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Posted: May 09 2012 at 7:28pm | IP Logged
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Is everyone still loving Mavis Beacon- or has something better come along?
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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ShannonJ Forum Pro
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Posted: May 09 2012 at 8:20pm | IP Logged
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I've looked at Type to Learn, but its pretty pricey. Dd is using TypingWeb. Nothing super fancy, but it is free. You can register to save your progress and there are some games available too.
__________________ ~Shannon
Mom of dd 12, ds 9, & dd 5
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organiclilac Forum All-Star
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Posted: May 09 2012 at 10:23pm | IP Logged
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My son has been using Dance Mat Typing from the BBC - it's free online - and he's been doing very well with it. Some of the songs are beyond goofy, but he likes practicing, and has been getting pretty good, so it works for us!
__________________ Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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