Welcome to Jamin's Internet Academy! I am a homeschooling Mom who is fascinated with finding low cost - no cost ways to supplement our homeschooling through the internet. There is a treasure trove of free goodies online. So join me here on the Front Porch every Wednesday as I share a little of what I have found with you!
HERE is a really cool FREE typing program for kids!
I had my 12 year old take a look at it. Here is his "review".
I thought that the dance mat typing game was very fun, after just about 45 minutes of typing with it I am getting much better at typing. I found the game one of the most fun educational games I have ever played. I am definitely going to keep playing until I can type very well, which at this rate, will be soon.
The game has different animals on each stage who sing for you every few minutes. If you hit a wrong key then a voice says “type on me!” and the correct one flashes on a in-game keyboard. The first stage teaches the “home row” (ASDFGHJKL;)and then each stage after that teaches you two keys. (the 2nd I and E the 3rd U and R the 4th T and Y etc) there are 4 levels, and within each there are around 3 stages. As you go along at the bottom of the screen there is a bar that shows how many lines you have typed and how many you have to go. When you finish each stage the animal of that stage congratulates you and then does a little dance. Other than that there really isn't any relation with dancing oddly enough.
The only thing that I found annoying about the game is that the little voices that say “Type me!” get a little annoying after time. I find the whole game pretty fun and a very good educational game over all. I definately recommend it to you.
This program is recommended for ages 7-11 and also has additional worksheets you can print for free to get more practice.
Jamin is the homeschooling Mom of 3 great kids, ages 2, 5 and 12. She loves homeschooling and finding creative things to do with her kids. She and her husband have been married 17 years. She is also a Usborne Book Consultant. You can visit her bookstore at http://www.usborne2u.com where you can check out Usbornes wonderful selection of Internet Linked Titles
