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Maria B.
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Anyone have a good typing tutorial/CD to recommend for a fourth grader?
Thanks!
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Maria in VA
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Mary G
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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.
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MaryG
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ElizLeone
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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.
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Elizabeth in Wisconsin
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Becky Parker
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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!
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Becky
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Mary G
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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 ....)
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MaryG
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Mackfam
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Ditto on Mavis Beacon - you might try Walmart or Target - that's where we got ours for $10!
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Jen Mackintosh
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nicole-amdg
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Reviving this thread to ask if Mavis Beacon has a good kids' version for a Mac?
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Nicole
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marihalojen
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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.
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Mary G
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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.
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MaryG
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marihalojen
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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!
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~Jennifer
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Mary G
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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 ....
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MaryG
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Devoted
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I believe that's called Biblical Typing: Seek and ye shall find!
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marihalojen
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~Jennifer
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J.Anne
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At what age would you all recommend starting a typing program?
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Lorri
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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.
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Mary G
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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!
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MaryG
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Tina P.
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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?
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
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SeaStar
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Is everyone still loving Mavis Beacon- or has something better come along?
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ShannonJ
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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.
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~Shannon
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organiclilac
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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!
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Tracy, wife to Shawn, mama to Samuel (4/01) and Joseph (11/11), and Thomas (2/15)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Typing Tutorials/CDs
