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Word Basics Lesson Plan

PREP WORK:

 Read handouts on Word Basics. Each location uses a slightly different version of word. Make
sure you are working with the correct version.
 Get to library early to test for technology failures
 Make you have enough copies of the handouts and the feedback forms
***The library will print handouts for us.

OBJECTIVES:

 Understand what Microsoft Word is

 Navigate the ribbon menu system
 Type text in a document
 Inserting photos/clip art into a document
 Format text
 Use the spell and grammar check feature
 Use the undo and redo button
 Copy, paste, cut and delete text
 Find and use the Microsoft Word help feature
 Save documents

Before class: Record attendance, make sure there are enough handouts for class, make sure you have
feedback forms for the end of the course, check computers to make sure they are on and ready to use.

LESSON OUTLINE:

Introduction

 Introduce instructor, students, goals for the class

 Let students know they can take phone calls, but remind them to put phones on vibrate
and answer them outside of class
 Inform students, they can leave for the restroom anytime—No need to ask
 Show/tell the class timeline to students
 State/show order in which class will happen. Explain scope of class. If you have a white
board, write down briefly what will happen during the course.
 Icebreaker Question: What is your experience with Microsoft word?
I. Overview of Word

 What is MS Word?

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 Software used to create and print text documents

 Changes can be easily made such as correcting spelling, adding, deleting, formatting and
relocating text
 Document can be printed quickly and accurately saved for later modifications

 Activity: Open Microsoft Word. Directions for opening Microsoft Word appear on page
3 of the students’ packet. Tell students to read page 3 and open word. Help those who are
struggling, and/or invite other students in the class to help those who are struggling to
open word.

II. The Ribbon Menu System

Note: Sometimes inviting students to click through each tab as the tab is being discussed can be
helpful.

 Tabbed ribbon menu system: Allows you to navigate through Word and access the
various Word commands. If you have used previous versions of Word, the Ribbon
system replaces the traditional menus.

 File: In Microsoft Office 2007, there was something called the Microsoft Office Button
in the top left hand corner. In Microsoft Office 2013, this has been replaced with a tab in
the ribbon labeled “file,” when you left click on this tab, a new window appears. From
this menu you can perform the same functions as the Microsoft Office Button menu, such
as: create a new document, open existing files, save files in a variety of ways, and print.
Don’t worry your document isn’t gone! Just click the left arrow at the top to get back to
your document.

 Home: The most used features are in the Home tab, such as Copy, Cut and Paste. The
HOME Tab Toolbar offers options that can change the font, size, color, alignment,
organization and style of the text in the document.

 The Ruler: This feature allows you to change the dimensions of your text document

 Insert: This feature allows you to include tables, images, shapes, and other non-textual
items into your word document.

 Review: This tool contains features that will help you edit the document, such as spell
check. Be careful—sometimes the spell check feature cannot tell the difference between
write and right.

III. The Keyboard:

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 In order to use MS Word effectively, you must input commands using both the mouse
and the keyboard. The above image of a keyboard may closely resemble (if it is not
identical to) the keyboard in front of you; learning just a few certain keys will help to
improve your efficiency in typing as well as present you with more options within the
program. The following is a list of commonly used keys that have special functions in
MS Word (key functions can change depending on which program you are using):
 If a student wants to practice typing they might consider trying typing club:
https://www.typingclub.com/

IV. Activity: Creating a Flier Activity (30 minutes at least)

 See flier activity and student sample. Each library has their own set of directions because
each library has their own version of word.

V. Undo and Redo Buttons

 The Undo and Redo Buttons can be found on the top left hand side of word next to the
save button. These buttons allow you to redo and undo the most recent changes you’ve
made to your document.

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 Activity: I want you to try and undo the last thing you completed in your flier using the
Undo button. Now, I want to hit the redo button to bring what you did back to the flier.

VI. Copy, Paste, and Cut

 Cut: represented by scissors. This feature allows the user to highlight and delete
information in their document

 Copy: command is represented by the icon with two documents. This feature will not
alter your original selection at all, as it simply makes a copy of the selection without
changing or deleting it in any way.

 Paste: represented by a clip board and a document. The paste feature is used after you
have copied something in your document. You can paste replicas of information you have
copied into new locations.

 Activity: Try to copy the image you used in your flier. Paste this clip art onto a new
page in the same word document.

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Microsoft Word Basics Flier Activity

Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to practice typing and formatting in word. You will also
practice inserting images into word. Our goal is for you to become comfortable with the basics of
using the program, saving your file, and using features like spell check to appropriately review
your work.

Task: The public library is going to have a party to celebrate their 100th anniversary of service to
the community. For this activity, I would like you to use your new found skills with Word to
create a flier to advertise this event. The flier must include the following elements:

1) An event title in at least 15 point font. Make sure the title is in the center of the page. You may
use any font you want, but it must be a font that is clear to read. (See pg. 6 of your packet for
help)

2) A clip art picture to represent the event (See pg. 12 of your packet for help)

3) Tell us the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY of the event. For example, What will happen at
the event? Will librarians tell stories to children? Will authors read their books? What time will
this event start and end?

4) You may look at the flier on the back of this sheet of paper as an example.

5) Use the spell check feature under review to make sure there are no mistakes. (See pg. pg 10
of your packet for help)

6) When you are finished, save your file. You will want to make a file name that you will
remember. For example, you might use your last name + what the document is. Ex)
KehoeLibraryFlier.

7) Be creative and clear.

8)You are encouraged to ask me or your neighbor for help!

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100 Year Celebration!

What: The Chapel Hill Library is celebrating 100 years of bringing free
books and resources to the local community. Come out and celebrate
with us we as read stories to children, invite local authors to read their
books, and eat cake.

When: 8am to 5pm on July 6th, 2001

Where: Chapel Hill Public Library

Why: We love public libraries!

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Last Updated: Oct. 2018