Grades 3–5 are where keyboarding becomes schoolwork, not just a computer-lab activity. This free typing curriculum for grades 3–5 maps Common Core writing expectations to a practical scope and sequence, weekly minutes, and matching RiteType lessons and games.
See also the full K–8 keyboarding curriculum and the earlier K–2 plan.
Common Core keyboarding expectations
These links go to the official Common Core writing standards:
- Grade 3 — W.3.6: use technology to produce and publish writing; interact and collaborate.
- Grade 4 — W.4.6: type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.
- Grade 5 — W.5.6: type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.
RiteType’s lesson path builds the skill those standards assume: home row → top and bottom rows → capitals and punctuation → common words and short paragraphs.
Scope and sequence
| Grade | Focus | RiteType units |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Home row + top row by touch | Home Row, Home Row Mastery, Top Row, Top Row Reaches |
| 4 | Whole alphabet + Shift | Bottom Row, Bottom Row Reaches, Capitals, Punctuation |
| 5 | Fluency for one–two pages | Common Words, Tricky Letter Pairs, Paragraphs, Accuracy Builders |
Sample 9-week block (grade 3 or mixed 3–4)
- Weeks 1–3: Home Row unit, accuracy over speed, printable finger chart at every station.
- Weeks 4–5: Home Row Mastery drills.
- Weeks 6–8: Top Row, then Top Row Reaches.
- Week 9: kids typing test or 1-minute test; celebrate growth from each student’s own baseline.
Games that reinforce (not replace) lessons
Use games as a reward after a lesson, not instead of one:
- Key Hop and Falling Words (Easy) for home-row reinforcement
- Type Racer, Word Zombies and Asteroid Blaster for grades 4–5
- Classroom typing games guide for setup ideas
Goals and assessment
| Priority | Target |
|---|---|
| Technique | Eyes on screen, correct finger on each key, Shift with the opposite pinky |
| Accuracy | 90%+ before pushing speed |
| Speed | Rough guide only—compare each student to their week-1 baseline |
| Stamina (grade 5) | Comfort typing continuous text toward the two-page W.5.6 expectation |
Walk-the-room checklist once a week. Stars on lessons make a quick gradebook note. A free class join code lets you see progress without student emails.