Purpose:
The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in a creative and reflective typing activity that reinforces keyboarding skills while encouraging personal goal setting for the new year. By combining meaningful writing with proper typing technique and digital formatting, students will create a polished New Year’s Resolutions poster.
Procedure:
1. Discussion (5 minutes)
Have students quietly reflect on the following prompts (you could post them on board, project on screen, or read out loud). Have students who are willing to share their answers out loud.
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What’s something you want to do more of this year?
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What’s one goal you have for school, home, or friendships?
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What’s a fun or silly resolution that would still make your year better?
2. Typing Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Do a short 2-minute typing warm-up using your favorite program (Typing.com, NitroType, etc.)
Challenge students to keep their eyes on the screen and fingers on home row the whole time!
3. Drafting Resolutions (15 minutes)
Have students open a word processing document and type at least 3–5 New Year’s Resolutions. Encourage them to come up with at least one for each of the four headings--These can be a mix of serious, personal, academic, social, or funny.
Encourage students to use:
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Complete sentences
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Proper punctuation and capitalization
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At least one paragraph explaining why one of their goals is important to them
4. Create a “New Year’s Resolutions Poster” (25 minutes)
Now, students turn their writing into a creative digital poster using the program of their choice. The poster requirements can be found here: New Year's Resolution Poster Requirements. Posters should reflect good formatting and proper typing technique.
Variations:
Display printed resolutions on a classroom bulletin board. Do a monthly check-in where students revisit and reflect on their goals. Turn this into a digital slideshow for students to present or share. For an added challenge, use the KeyMaster® Keyboard to blank out the learner’s keys.
Time & Materials:
New Year's Resolution Poster Requirements
Word processing software (Google Docs, Word, etc.), Projector/whiteboard, typing software (Typing.com, Typesy.com, etc.).
Time Required: 50 minutes