I need ideas to teach kids word processing.?

Question

I am teaching a kids computer class and I need ideas for word processing.

Answer 1

They have software programs that teach typing and word processing to kids.  Amazon.com stocks quite a few.

Answer 2

How old are the kids?  How much experience have they had already with wordprocessing?  Some may have had little time on the computer and others may have spent years gaming and surfing.  If your class is high school age, they could use a program like "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" to upgrade their keyboarding skills.  Younger kids would probably enjoy a goofier program--we have a Crayola Creates scrapbook making program, a Creative Wonders CD with a typing program in which you type the letters that form as a little plane puffs across the sky, a KidPix program in which the child makes a book with lots of "stamps," lots of graphics...actually, the older kids enjoy these cartoony ones more than "Mavis Beacon," and I don't blame them.  

My son was reluctant to write because of all the red pen corrections he would see on his returned works of art.  Then he discovered Autocorrect and Spellcheck and he suddenly found his "voice."  

If your students composed poetry or essays required for other classes on the computer, they'd accomplish two things at one time.  They could all bring recipes and create a cookbook, which would make their mothers happy at least.  Or what about putting together a newsletter of school or family happenings?  Throw in student artwork and photographs and you would have some very proud and accomplished kids.

Answer 3

Maybe you can collaborate with the English teacher and have her give the students some of their best writing pieces to bring to your class. This way they can type something that they are proud of and then once they have the typing part down, you can teach them about fonts, changing text sizes, changing text color, etc. so that they can make their writing piece  look like they would like it too.