Typewriters and Social Story Writing
I have always had a place in my heart for old typewriters. I inherited one from my in-laws the summer before I began my pre-service teacher ed. program and used it to help build fine-motor skills (while building self-efficacy) for pre-k-grade 1 students to write their own stories (the force of pressing typewriter keys is greater than that of a computer keyboard). The typewriter allowed more autonomy for student writing (they didn't need to use a printer to publish) and less aesthetic decisions (no changing fonts, colours, or sizing). I also used the typewriter working with a grade 6 student with Down Syndrome to have her practice spelling and identifying her sight words (she would type the words out in lines for several sheets of paper just to hear the 'ding' at the end of the line).
But my actual inclusion of typewriters in a whole school/whole class approach began last summer when 2 events that happened simultaneously. The first was based on a donation of 9 working typewriters from a gentleman whose wife worked as a secretary for the school board. She spent her life on typewriters and he had collected over 9 still-working ones. He was looking for someone who would use them so I volunteered to take them/store them for use in my class. After my experience with using typewriters in story/printing format I had come to see potential value they could hold.
At the same time, Toronto had begun a social experiment of leaving pianos throughout the city (outside on the streets) to encourage spontaneous musicians to evolve. Inspired, I began by taking my typewriters to a grade 5/6 class. I introduced the typewriters as a type of story chain letter. The typewriters would sit on tables spread throughout the classroom and during free time, students would be permitted to begin to scribe their own stories on them. Each story would be left on the typewriter and new authors would be permitted to pick up and add to stories where previous authors left off.
After beginning in the classroom we expanded to the school and by the end of 2 weeks we had 10 different unique stories. Each author influenced the next and students picked up on different styles of writing.
But my actual inclusion of typewriters in a whole school/whole class approach began last summer when 2 events that happened simultaneously. The first was based on a donation of 9 working typewriters from a gentleman whose wife worked as a secretary for the school board. She spent her life on typewriters and he had collected over 9 still-working ones. He was looking for someone who would use them so I volunteered to take them/store them for use in my class. After my experience with using typewriters in story/printing format I had come to see potential value they could hold.
At the same time, Toronto had begun a social experiment of leaving pianos throughout the city (outside on the streets) to encourage spontaneous musicians to evolve. Inspired, I began by taking my typewriters to a grade 5/6 class. I introduced the typewriters as a type of story chain letter. The typewriters would sit on tables spread throughout the classroom and during free time, students would be permitted to begin to scribe their own stories on them. Each story would be left on the typewriter and new authors would be permitted to pick up and add to stories where previous authors left off.
After beginning in the classroom we expanded to the school and by the end of 2 weeks we had 10 different unique stories. Each author influenced the next and students picked up on different styles of writing.
Stage of Literacy Development
Stage 0: Foundation for Literacy
Stage 1: Beginning Literacy Stage 2: Consolidation / Fluency Stage 3: Literacy for Growth Grade Range
Pre-k Grades 1-6
Food Groups:
Primarily: Concepts of Print
Secondary: Motivation for literacy, Vocabulary, Spelling and Word Study Activity Objective:
As pointed out in the history of this activity, typewriters can be used with younger students for creating stories/building words. For older students it can be used to teach social story building. The objective is to use typewriters as a tool for creating stories while fostering a motivation for literacy.
Extensions:
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