Computer Lesson #1 – Using Windows and Managing Documents

Warm up: What do you use the computer for now? What would you like to do with it?

Objectives: Session: #1
 Name parts of the computer Time: one hour
 Use Windows
 Manage documents

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Name parts of the computer Warm up 10 min. Computer lab
o Match computer
vocabulary and parts Present:
 Explain that it is important for the class to 15 min. Lesson 1 – Handout 1
 Use Windows have a shared computer vocabulary. Have
o Move arrow learners label the numbered diagram on
o Use Start menu parts of the computer. Review together.
o Turn computer off  Explore Windows together, filling in the 15 min. Lesson 1 – Handout 2
and on blanks on the Windows worksheet as you
o Use scroll bar go.
o Open and close
windows Practice:
 Have learners open a new Word document 20 min. Word Processing 1
 Manage documents and type a “To-do” or shopping list (focus
o Open a Word on the computer skill – don’t worry about
document typing, spelling, etc.).
o Type a list  Got to “Save As” and have each learner
o Create a folder create a folder to save his/her work in.
o Save list  Have learners rename their lists and save
in their folders.

Evaluation: Learners will complete two vocabulary worksheets, create a list and save the list in a folder.
Notes: Encourage learners to help each other as some will have stronger skills. We learn what we teach! Explain that the little mouse
and keyboard images on the Word Processing sheets mean click once, click twice and type.
 Computer Lesson #2 – Using a Keyboard & Editing Text and Spaces
Warm up: How many of you have taken typing or word processing courses? Do you use those skills now?

Objectives: Session: #2
 Use a keyboard Time: one hour
 Edit text and spaces
Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources
 Use a keyboard Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Match names with
keys on keyboard Review:
diagram  Have learners open a new Word 5 min.
o Type sentences document.
 Point out the task bar and document name.
 Edit text and spaces
o Insert text and Present:
spaces  Have learners number the keyboard 10 min. Lesson 2 – Handouts 1 & 2
o Highlight text diagram. Review together. Then have
o Delete text and them type the sentences on weight loss.
spaces  Show learners how to highlight text, insert 10 min. Word Processing 2
text and lines, and delete text and lines
using the delete and backspace keys.

Practice:
 Have learners open the Bean Salad recipe 30 min. Lesson 2 – Handouts 3 & 4
and make the corrections given. More
advanced learners can then edit the Apple
Muffin recipe. Have learners save the
recipes in their folders (and print them if
they want to try the recipe at home).
Evaluation: Learners will number a keyboard diagram and edit a recipe.
Notes: Be sure to download the recipes in advance so they are available to the class. Giving learners an already typed document allows
them to focus on the computer skill being taught rather than worrying about whether or not they can type!
 Computer Lesson #3 – Typing Paragraphs and Checking Spelling
Warm up: How many of you use the computer to write letters or send email messages? How do you check for spelling errors?

Objectives: Session: #3
 Type paragraphs Time: one hour
 Check spelling
Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources
 Type paragraphs Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Use tab and enter
keys Review:
o Type sentences  Have learners fill in the blanks on the 15 min. Lesson 3 – Handout 1
Typing Paragraphs handout. Review how
 Check Spelling to use the tab and enter keys. Have them
o Open Spell-check type the paragraphs and the next
o Use Spell-check paragraph on the handout (or they can
write their own). Tell them not to worry
about errors.

Present:
 Point out the Review tab on the ribbon. 20 min. Word Processing 3
 Show learners how to use Spell-check.
 Have them use it to check their
paragraphs.

Practice: 20 min. Lesson 3 – Handout 2

 Have learners use Spell-check to correct Newspaper article copies
the newsletter article. Have them save the
article in their folder. Advanced students
can type and check a newspaper article.

Evaluation: Learners will type a paragraph and check spelling in a newsletter article.
Notes: Spell-check is found in the Proofing group on the Review tab. Be sure to download the article in advance so it is available.
 Computer Lesson #4 – Using Tabs & Typing Friendly Letters
Warm up: How many of you still write letters? How many just use email?

Objectives: Session: #4
 Use tabs Time: one hour
 Type friendly letter
Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources
 Use tabs Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Create a personal
schedule Review:
 Have learners create a personal schedule 10 min. Lesson 4 – Handout 1
 Type a friendly letter using the tab key to make two columns –
o Indent using tab key one for time and one for activity.
o Write a letter to a
friend Present:
 Show learners how to use the tab key to 5 min.
indent lines using the ruler to measure.

Practice:
 Have learners copy the sample letter. 40 min. Lesson 4 – Handout 2
 Have them write a letter to a friend. Letter to copy
 Show learners how to print their letters.

Evaluation: Learners will create a personal schedule and type a letter to a friend.
Notes: Some learners may not be comfortable thinking of something to say and learning a new skill. Its okay for them to copy the
sample letter again or you could bring another longer letter for them to copy.
 Computer Lesson #5 – Using Fonts
Warm up: What is a font? Do fonts affect how we respond to text?

Objectives: Session: #5
 Use fonts Time: one hour

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Use fonts Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Identify the
formatting toolbar Review:
o Use different font  Have learners write a list of names and 10 min.
styles phone numbers of friends and family
o Underline, bold and using the tab key to create two columns.
italicise text
Present:
 Show learners the Font group on the Home 10 min. Word Processing 5
tab.
 Demonstrate how to change the font style
by highlighting a line of text and choosing
a different font style. Show how to choose
the font style before beginning to type.
 Then show how you can also use the B,I,
and U icons to format text.

Practice: 35 min. Lesson 5 – Handouts 1 & 2

 Have learners copy the garage sale poster
using different font styles. More advanced
learners can create a second poster using
the information on Handout 2.

Evaluation: Learners will create a phone list and copy a poster using different fonts and font styles.
Notes: Encourage creativity. This is the fun part!
 Computer Lesson #6 – Using Alignments & Inserting Pictures
Warm up: What is an alignment? Is a picture really worth a 1000 words?

Objectives: Session: #6
 Use alignments Time: one hour
 Insert pictures

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Use alignments Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Align text right, left
and centre Review:
o Create an invitation  Have learners write a sentence about their 10 min.
using all three day. Highlight and change the font style.
alignments Use B, I, and U. Undo the changes.

 Insert Pictures Present:

o Search for pictures  Point out the Paragraph group. 10 min. Word Processing 6-1
o Insert a picture  Discuss alignment. Demonstrate by
o Move, resize and having learners write their names and then
position a picture align them right, left and centre.

Practice: 15 min. Lesson 6 – Handout 1

 Have learners fill in and then type the
invitation on Handout 1.
Present: 20 min. Word Processing 6-2
 Demonstrate how to insert a picture. Have
learners search for a picture and insert it
in their invitation. Demonstrate how to
move, resize and position pictures.
 Have learners save their invitations.
Evaluation: Learners will create an invitation with aligned text and a picture.
Notes: Be sure to show learners how to change the wrapping style of the picture so the picture is easy to move.
 Computer Lesson #7 – Cut, Copy and Paste
Warm up: Do we always have to retype things if we want to use them again?
Objectives: Session: #7
 Use cut and paste Time: one hour
 Use copy and paste
Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources
 Use copy and paste Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Copy text
o Paste text Review:
 Have learners open a new Word 10 min.
 Use cut and paste document, search for a picture in Clip Art
o Cut text that reflects their day and insert the
o Paste text picture in their document.

Present:
 Have learners type a caption for their 15 min. Word Processing 7
picture.
 Demonstrate how to cut the caption and
paste it lower on the page, then how to
copy it and paste it lower on the page,
using the Clipboard group.
Practice:
 Have learners copy and paste the 15 min. Lesson 7 – Handouts 1 & 2
childhood diseases into the table on
Handout 7-1 using Handout 7-2 as a
guide.
 Have learners cut and past the 15 min. Lesson 7 – Handout 3
recyclables/not recyclables into the table
in Handout 7-3.
Evaluation: Learners will copy and cut items and paste them into tables.
Notes: Show learners how they can paste the last cut/copied item multiple times (useful for the childhood disease activity).
 Computer Lesson #8 – Numbered & Bulleted Lists
Warm up: When do we use bulleted and numbered lists?

Objectives: Session: #8
 Use numbered lists Time: one hour
 Use bulleted lists
Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources
 Use numbered lists Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Type article
o Create a numbered Review:
list  Copy a “quote of the day” on the board. 10 min.
Have learners open a new Word document
 Use bulleted lists and type the quote. Have them copy and
o Type article paste it ten times.
o Create a bulleted list
Present:
 Have learners type a list of towns/cities. 20 min.
 Demonstrate how to highlight the list and
then use the number/bullet icons in the
Paragraph group on the Home tab to
format the list.
 Demonstrate how to first click on the icon
and then type a new list.
 Show how to highlight the list and click
on the icon to undo.

Practice: 25 min. Lesson 8 – Handouts 1 & 2

 Have learners copy Handouts 8-1 & 8-2
using the bullet and number icons on the
formatting toolbar to format the text.
 Have learners save their work.
Evaluation: Learners will copy two documents, using the bullet and number icons to format the text.
Notes: Use bullets when items are of equal value and numbered lists when there is a sequence or difference in importance.
 Computer Lesson #9 – Typing Business Letters
Warm up: When do you write a business letter? Is it always a complaint letter? Do you ever write “good news” business letters?

Objectives: Session: #9
 Type business letter Time: one hour

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Type business letter Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Identify parts of a
business letter Review:
o Write a business  Have learners type a list of foods they 10 min.
letter enjoy and number it using the number
icon.

Present:
 Discuss the parts of a business letter. 15 min.
 Discuss how the conventions have
changed since many people learned to
write a business letter (block format,
province format, etc.) and how the
computer has shaped that change.

Practice:
 Have learners write a complaint or “good 30 min. Lesson 9 – Handout 1
news” letter to their MP, MLA or mayor.
 Have learners print their letters.
 Extend the activity by having more
advanced learners look up the address on
the internet and showing them how to
print an envelope.
Evaluation: Learners will write a business letter and print an envelope.
Notes: If you are sharing a printer make sure that everyone is printing letters and/or envelopes at one time!
 Computer Lesson #10 – Creating Tables
Warm up: When do we use tables? How can they help us organize information?

Objectives: Session: #10

 Create tables Time: one hour

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Create tables Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Identify parts of a
table Present:
o Create a table  Discuss when to use tables. Have learners 20 min. Word Processing 10
o Type information identify the parts of a table.
into cells  Demonstrate how to create a table using
the Tables group in the Insert tab.
 Demonstrate how to type information in
the cells and how to move around in the
table (using tab key, arrows and/or
mouse).

Practice: 35 min. Lesson 10 – Handout 1

 Have learners create the table in Lesson
10 – Handout 1 and input the words in the
correct columns. A quick review of parts
of speech may be necessary!
 Have learners save their table in their
folder.

Evaluation: Learners will create a table and type information in the cells.
Notes: In the lesson yesterday is an adverb. Yesterday can be an adverb, noun or adjective.
 Computer Lesson #11 – Formatting Tables
Warm up: How can formatting help us understand documents?
Objectives: Session: #11
 Format tables Time: one hour

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Format tables Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Insert and delete
columns and rows Review:
o Format rows,  Have learners create a table with three 15 min.
columns and cells columns, eight rows and the headings
o Format borders, size, Spring, Summer and Fall. Have them type
fonts and alignment names of plants that flower in each
season.

Present:
 Click in a cell and point out the Layout 10 min. Word Processing 10
and Design tabs located in Table Tools.
 Use the Seasons table to demonstrate how
to change the height, delete and insert,
highlight, and put borders around rows
and columns.

Practice: 30 min. Lesson 11 – Handout 1

 Have learners format the table in Lesson
11 – Handout 1.
 Have learners save their tables in their
folders.
Evaluation: Learners will format a table and type information in the cells.
Notes: Don’t forget to download the table for learners to format. The table will get too wide and the sides of the page will no longer be
visible. To avoid this, show learners how they can double click at the top of the line between columns and the column will
automatically fit to the contents. You must click in a cell to access the Layout and Design tabs in Table Tools.
 Computer Lesson #12 – Page Set-up
Warm up: What is portrait? What is landscape? What is a margin?

Objectives: Session: #12

 Set up page Time: one hour

Learning Tasks Instructor Activities Time Resources

 Set up page Warm up 5 min. Computer lab
o Discuss default
settings Present:
o Change margins  Discuss default settings on the computer 15 min. Word Processing 12
o Change paper size and when it is appropriate to change those
o Change paper settings.
orientation  Have learners open a new Word document
and click on the Page Layout tab.
 Have learners change the paper size,
margins and orientation of the document.
 Close the document.

Practice:
 Have learners create the table in Lesson 40 min. Lesson 12 – Handout 1
12 – Handout 1.
 Have them input information from
memory, the phone book, or, for more
advanced learners, from the internet.
 Have learners save their table in their
folder.
Lesson 12 – Handout 2
 More advanced learners can also do the
resume if appropriate
Evaluation: Learners will change the page set-up on a document and then create a phone list.
Notes: More advanced learners can use www.mytelus.com or www.canada411.ca to find phone numbers of friends and family.