Fun With Fonts

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Playing with fonts is a fun way to get tech savvy!

OBJECTIVE
Developing Skills:
•    cooperation
•    language
•    literacy
•    observation
•    fine motor

MATERIALS
•    computer with a word processor and printer
•    sentence strip paper
•    large white paper
•    glue sticks
•    child safety scissors
•    markers

SET UP AND PREPARE
In Advance:
Use a computer to make a list of the names of the children in your program, varying the size and font of each.

DIRECTIONS
ACTIVITY
Show children their names written in the varying fonts and letter sizes. Point out the different types of fonts and explain what they are. Ask children to share what they already know about using a computer to write words. Pass around a keyboard and invite children to share what they know about this tool. Are the letters on the keyboard in alphabetical order? Can they find the letters that are in their names?

Invite children to work in pairs at the computer. Suggest they write their names on a sheet of sentence strip paper and prop it up where they can see it as they type. Using the word processor, show them how to select fonts and change the size of the text. Invite them to practice typing any letters they choose.

Next, ask them to type their names using different fonts and sizes. Encourage them to work together to make each other’s names. Show them how to find the print icon so that they can print their work once finished. Decide beforehand how many pages they can each print.

Bring children together to share their work. Provide them with safety scissors and invite them to cut out their favorite fonts to glue onto one large sheet of paper to create a name collage.

Provide time for children to further investigate fonts. In addition to their name cards, suggest children create word cards that they can view while at the computer. Save their work in a folder.

Remember: Be prepared to have one-on-one time for those children who need additional support with the activity.

LESSON EXTENSION
Take-Home Activity
A Font Hunt. Send home paper and a glue stick and ask children to cut out interesting fonts they find in magazines or newspapers. Invite children to share their work the following day.

Curriculum Connection: LITERACY
Cool Names. Provide children with art materials and invite them to spell their names by designing interesting or decorative letters. Offer them stencils or letters that can be traced.

BOOKS
Alphabet Mystery
by Audrey Wood
(Scholastic, 2003; $16)

Words: A Computer Lesson
by Jean Haddon
(Millbrook Press, 2003; $5)

T is for Teachers: A School Alphabet
by Steven L. Layne
(Sleeping Bear Press, 2005; $17)

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