Lesson 1

In this lesson, we will focus on learning the home row keys. The home row keys are where we will always place our fingers when we type. Our fingers will always return to the home row after we press a key. The home row is our base. From the base(home row) we can reach all of the keys with a specific finger. The keys we will learn in the home row are: (a, s, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, semicolon, apostrophe, colon, and quotation marks). We will also learn how to use the Shift keys.

The Homerow

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We will always start by placing our fingers on the following keys:

• The left pinky finger will be on the "A" key. (pink)
• The left ring finger will be on the "S" key. (blue)
• The left middle finger will be on the "D" key. (orange)
• The left index finger will be on the "F" key. (yellow)
• The right index finger will be on the "J" key. (yellow)
• The right middle finger will be on the "K" key. (orange)
• The right ring finger will be on the "L" key. (blue)
• The right pinky finger will be on the ";" key. (pink)
• Both thumbs will be on the spacebar. (purple)

When you place your fingers on the home row, your hands should be slightly curved. Your left thumb should rest on the spacebar somewhere within the "C" and "V" key. Your right thumb should rest on the spacebar somewhere within the "N" and "M" keys. It is not necessary to press the spacebar with both thumbs simultaneously. Just one thumb will do. You might notice on some keyboards that there are little bumps on the "F" and "J" keys. These bumps are purposely designed on the keyboard so that you will know when you are on the home row.

Practice

Practice typing the "A" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "S" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "D" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "F" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "J" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "K" key in the box below.

Practice typing the "L" key in the box below.

Practice typing the ";" key in the box below.

The "G" key

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To type the "G" key, simply move your left index finger to the right.

Practice

Practice typing the "G" key in the box below.

The "H" key

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To type the "H" key, simply move your right index finger to the left.

Practice

Practice typing the "H" key in the box below.

The apostrophe key

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To type the apostrophe key, simply move your right pinky finger to the right.

Practice

Practice typing the apostrophe key in the box below.

Typing the colon, quotation marks, and capitalizing letters with the Shift keys

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The Shift keys are used to capitalize letters. They are also used for keys that have two characters on the same key. There are two Shift keys on a keyboard. To use the left Shift key, move your left pinky finger in a downward angle to the left. To use the right Shift key, move your right pinky finger in a downward angle to the right. When you want to capitalize a letter, you will hold the Shift key with one hand and press the key with the other. For example, say you want to capitalize the "D" key. You would hold the right Shift key with your right pinky finger. You would then press the "D" key with your left finger middle finger. After you press the "D" key, you can release the Shift key. The same principal applies to a key that you press with your right finger. If you want to type a capital "J", you would hold the Shift key with your left pinky finger, and press the "J" key with your right index finger.

• To type a colon, hold the Shift key with your left pinky finger and press the semicolon key with your right pinky finger. The colon is on the same key as the semicolon.
• To type a quotation mark, hold the Shift key with your left pinky finger and press the apostrophe key with your right pinky finger. The quotation marks are on the same key as the apostrophe.

Practice

Practice typing the following in the box below: (A S D F G H J K L : ") Practice also on using the spacebar.

Summary

We covered a lot of ground here. We learned the fundamentals of the home row. We know about the spacebar. We also learned how to use the Shift keys. Since we now know how to use the Shift keys, we won't worry about typing capital letters in the next lessons. We know that all we have to do is just hold the Shift key. Keep practicing on the home row until your fingers memorize where the keys are. When you have mastered the home row, you should then move on to Lesson 2.

I am going to say this after every lesson. If you are planning to go directly to Lesson 2, first take a 30 minute to an hour break. Get up and stretch. Go outside for fresh air. Exercise if you can. Loosen up the body. Give your mind a break. This is to prevent any physical injury or mental stress.