HTML Starter Workbook

Writing Your First HTML Page: Copy, Change the Title, and Update Text

When you make an HTML page, you’re telling the computer, “Here is a page, and here is what the page says.” HTML is like a set of simple instructions. It has a few important parts, and today we’ll use a starter file so you don’t have to guess.

We will copy the starter file, then change two things: the title (the name at the top of the page tab) and the text you see on the screen. Fun fact: HTML stands for “HyperText Markup Language,” and it helps computers understand where text and pictures go.

You’ll feel like a page builder - like building a tiny stage for your words!

Copy the Starter File and Make It Your Own Page

Your Turn

• Open the starter HTML file called `starter.html`.
• Make a copy and save it as `my-first-page.html`.
• Find the line that says `...` and change the words inside to your page title.
• Find the line with the big on-page text (often inside a tag like `...` or `...

`) and change it to your message.

• Save the file.
• Open `my-first-page.html` in your web browser and look for your new title and new words.

Apply It: If you change the text but nothing changes in the browser, click the browser’s Refresh button.

Where This Shows Up in Your Day (Home, School, Playground)

At home, you might rename a sticker sheet like “Dinosaurs” or “Space.” HTML is like that: your title is the name on the sticker sheet, and your text is what’s printed on it.

At school, you see signs like “Library Rules” or “Math Team.” Your title is like the sign’s top name. Your on-page text is like the words under the title that tell people what to do.

Even on the playground, you know which game is happening. HTML helps your page “say the right game” by changing the title and the words you put on the page.

Draw and Talk About Your First Page Title and Text

Reflect

1) Circle: In your browser, circle the words you changed in the title tab.

• Title you chose: ______

2) Draw: On a piece of paper, draw a tiny “web page” box. Inside it, write or draw your on-page text.

• Your on-page text says: ______

3) Talk it out: Ask a grown-up, “What is the title for?” and tell them what you think.

Fun challenge: Show your grown-up your page and point to the title words - then point to the on-page words. What changed first when you clicked Refresh?