Title: Exploring the Shift Key: An Introduction to Capitalization

Grade Level: 2nd Grade

Objective: - Students will understand the purpose and function of the shift key on a keyboard. - Students will learn how to use the shift key to capitalize letters. - Students will practice using the shift key to capitalize letters in words and sentences.

Materials: - Computer or laptop with a keyboard - Chart paper or whiteboard - Markers or whiteboard markers - Worksheets with sentences for capitalization practice - Pencils or crayons

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5 minutes):
   • Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what the shift key on a keyboard is for.
   • Explain that the shift key is used to capitalize letters and make them uppercase.
   • Show the students a keyboard and point out the shift key.
   • Discuss why capitalization is important in writing (e.g., to start sentences, proper nouns, etc.).
2. Whole Group Activity (10 minutes):
   • Write a sentence on the chart paper or whiteboard with all lowercase letters (e.g., “i like to play outside.”).
   • Ask students to read the sentence aloud and discuss why it doesn’t look correct.
   • Explain that we need to use the shift key to capitalize the first letter of the sentence.
   • Demonstrate how to hold down the shift key and press the letter “I” to capitalize it.
   • Rewrite the sentence with the correct capitalization and have students read it aloud.
3. Guided Practice (10 minutes):
   • Distribute worksheets with sentences for capitalization practice.
   • Instruct students to use the shift key to capitalize the first letter of each sentence.
   • Circulate around the classroom to provide assistance and guidance as needed.
   • Once students have completed the worksheet, review the answers together as a class.
4. Independent Practice (15 minutes):
   • Have students open a word processing program on their computers or laptops.
   • Instruct them to type a short paragraph about their favorite animal, making sure to use the shift key to capitalize the first letter of each sentence.
   • Encourage students to use proper nouns and descriptive words in their writing.
   • After they finish typing, have students print their paragraphs and share them with a partner.
5. Conclusion (5 minutes):
   • Gather the students back together and ask a few volunteers to share their paragraphs with the class.
   • Recap the importance of using the shift key to capitalize letters in writing.
   • Ask students if they have any questions or if there is anything they would like to share about what they learned today.

Extension Activity: - Create a “Capitalization Challenge” game where students take turns typing sentences with missing capital letters. The other students have to identify and correct the mistakes using the shift key. - Have students practice capitalizing letters in their everyday writing, such as in journals or during writing assignments in other subjects.