How to teach a typing class at your homeschool co-op
So you volunteered to teach typing at co-op. Good news: you don't have to be a fast typist, and you don't need a computer lab. You need a plan, some patience, and a way for kids to practice at home between classes. Here's a plan that fits a typical 12-week semester with one class a week.
Before the first class
- Check the keyboards. Ask each family to bring a laptop or a computer with a real keyboard. Tablets without a keyboard won't work for touch typing.
- Group by skill, not just age. A quick show of hands on day one ("Who has used a typing program before?") is enough.
- Print a finger chart for every student. Our free keyboard finger chart prints on one page.
- Plan for home practice. One class a week isn't enough to build the habit. Kids who practice ten minutes most days at home will be the ones who learn it.
The 12-week plan
| Week | In class | At home this week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Posture, the home row, F and J bumps, thumbs on Space | Home row, 10 minutes a day |
| 2 | A S D F J K L ; words. Eyes-on-screen game | Home row words |
| 3 | G and H. "Reach and return home" | Home row with G and H |
| 4 | Top row, left hand (Q W E R T) | Top row left |
| 5 | Top row, right hand (Y U I O P) | Full top row |
| 6 | Review day. Everyone types a short sentence without looking | Mixed review |
| 7 | Bottom row (Z X C V B N M) | Bottom row |
| 8 | Shift and capital letters, period and comma | Sentences with capitals |
| 9 | Number row | Numbers and simple sums |
| 10 | Backspace, fixing mistakes calmly, and a few handy shortcuts | Type a short paragraph |
| 11 | Accuracy challenge: a short passage, aim for few mistakes | Practice for the showcase |
| 12 | Showcase: each child types something they wrote. Certificates | Keep going over the break |
If your co-op runs longer, slow down rather than adding more keys. An extra week of review is never wasted.
A simple class routine (45 to 60 minutes)
- Warm-up (5 minutes). Hands on home row, type a review line.
- New keys (10 minutes). Show the reach on a big keyboard picture, then everyone tries it.
- Practice (15 minutes). Typing program or printed practice lines.
- Game (10 minutes). A typing game as the reward.
- Wrap-up (5 minutes). Explain the home practice, and celebrate one thing each child did well.
Handling mixed ages
- Pair older kids with younger ones for part of the class. Teens make good "typing coaches."
- Same keys, different text. Younger kids type words, older kids type sentences.
- Let fast finishers do accuracy challenges, not speed races. That keeps the focus where it belongs.
Things that make it easier
- Use a cover. Some teachers drape a dish towel over the hands so kids can't peek. Make it a game, not a punishment.
- Talk about light taps. No pounding.
- Keep data collection minimal. If you use an online program, a first name or nickname is all a child should need.
- Send a short note home each week. Parents want to know what to practice.
How to tell if it's working
By week 6, most kids should find the home row without looking and type short words slowly but correctly. By week 12, they should be typing sentences with capitals and periods while mostly keeping their eyes up. Speed varies a lot, and that's normal. If you'd like rough benchmarks, see typing speed by age.
Where Home Row Mojo fits
Home Row Mojo follows the same order as this plan: guided lessons starting at the home row, then drills with words, phrases, and sentences, and 12 arcade games as a reward. Families can try it free as a guest at home between classes, and Chicken Run and Checkers are free to play. The full version is $29 once per family.
Teaching a whole group? Email us at support@homerowmojo.com and tell us about your class. We'd love to hear how it goes.