Adrian, this brings back such fond memories of the IBM Selectric 2 my mom bought "used" (okay, I think it "fell off a truck" but that was the only way we could afford it). I borrowed my mom's old typing textbook from her high school days and taught myself. I typed my debate briefs on it; my first jobs in my school district were as a clerk typist. I became an expert at whiting out, cutting and taping. I worked on increasing my speed while sitting in the secretarial pool awaiting a task. When I first got to use a boyfriend's Mac (1984) in college, I would print out my drafts, mark them up, cut them up, tape them together. I still print out drafts to read them and mark them up.
The "Kids React" video was so lovely - their wonder and puzzlement. One caveat for me about using a typewriter to slow things down: I have found that I am a profoundly non-linear writer. I have to be able to write in scattered bits and then organize the chaos. (Next to my keyboard right now, you would see two notebooks, loose leaf paper, sticky notes, and index cards with my jottings.) Handwriting and computing both allow for that ... typing less so.
Thank you for your reflections, and your commitment to examining traditional practices and rebuilding something more meaningful. Reading this post and your linked post about teaching the writing process fired up my brain! Now I'm going to work on my novel -- at 58, I've learned that I am not only a teacher of writing. I AM A WRITER. And the more I practice that craft, the more I learn about the teaching of it.
Gwen, thank you for sharing this lovely memory! I have minimal experience with whiting out, cutting and taping. Like you, I also prefer to print out drafts to read and edit/revise.
If I can find a typewriter, I'm curious how my fifth-graders will react. I wonder how it will change the writing process for my students. Since I grew up using Microsoft Word, I'm very comfortable typing documents. However, for more creative pieces, like poetry, I prefer handwriting in my notebooks. I think our writing desks would complement each other nicely! I also have stacks of unlined notecards and piles of Sharpies for brainstorming and capturing ideas! :)
I applaud your efforts to work on a novel! Good luck and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
The clickety-clack-clack of a typewriter-- both the sound and feel (pre-haptics) lured me to write and play at my mother's various typewriters across a period of 10+ years. The medium is indeed the message, the device itself a learning curve, a way to explore how one-dimensional the screen has rendered the writing process: automatic margins & borders; auto-correcting for initial caps, alerting the user to spelling errors, grammatical issues, etc.
Melissa, I'm definitely chasing that clickety-clack sound! I'm curious how my fifth-graders will react to a typewriter. I wonder how it might change their relationship to the drafting process.
I love the energy you have for creatively engaging your students! And, your desire to
Impress upon them the joy of writing, not merely the formulaic 5-paragraph stuff; rather getting students to write engaging pieces. As for typewriters, I was going to suggest Vale Typewriter in Richfield, MN, but they just closed up shop 😡😡 It was a very cool shop as everything about it was from our childhood.
Love this adventure, and your whole story, Adrian. There is nothing like a typewriter, and that SOUND.
My colleague/friend and the previous Dean of Fine Arts at UArts in Philadelphia has a whole public art project around the use of typewriters to listen. http://www.sheryloring.org/i-wish-to-say. It’s gorgeous and meaningful and all about creating space to listen. I am sure she’d love to hear about your project.
AND in Philadelphia, there is actually an organization dedicated to teaching young people how to fix old typewriters, and they loan them out for creative and educational projects. They are amazing! https://www.phillytypewriter.com/#/. If you make your way to Philadelphia, PA, Bryan and Bill have the coolest mission and collection!
Jane, thank you for sharing about the I Wish to Say project. So cool! There is a local poet, R.R. Noall, who types original poems, on the spot, for people. I love the idea of capturing people's thoughts and setting them down on paper immediately using a typewriter. https://www.rrnoall.com/typewriter-poetry/
I wish we had a Philly Typewriter program here in Denver! What a great experience for young people. I will definitely keep this in mind if I ever make it to Philly.
I have a student who has started to collect typewriters. When he and I brought ours in to class, the kids were fascinated. There's something powerful about even the force it takes to hit the keys. Something satisfying too. I think you're on to something here. Thanks for this fun post!!
Yes!! That is one good-looking machine. I hope that whatever machine I find this summer, I can clean it up and get it in working order for my classroom.
I love that video about professional mathematicians hoarding Hagoromo chalk! I miss having a huge chalkboard in my classroom. I settle for having dry-erase boards, but it isn't the same. Thanks for sharing!
Adrian, this brings back such fond memories of the IBM Selectric 2 my mom bought "used" (okay, I think it "fell off a truck" but that was the only way we could afford it). I borrowed my mom's old typing textbook from her high school days and taught myself. I typed my debate briefs on it; my first jobs in my school district were as a clerk typist. I became an expert at whiting out, cutting and taping. I worked on increasing my speed while sitting in the secretarial pool awaiting a task. When I first got to use a boyfriend's Mac (1984) in college, I would print out my drafts, mark them up, cut them up, tape them together. I still print out drafts to read them and mark them up.
The "Kids React" video was so lovely - their wonder and puzzlement. One caveat for me about using a typewriter to slow things down: I have found that I am a profoundly non-linear writer. I have to be able to write in scattered bits and then organize the chaos. (Next to my keyboard right now, you would see two notebooks, loose leaf paper, sticky notes, and index cards with my jottings.) Handwriting and computing both allow for that ... typing less so.
Thank you for your reflections, and your commitment to examining traditional practices and rebuilding something more meaningful. Reading this post and your linked post about teaching the writing process fired up my brain! Now I'm going to work on my novel -- at 58, I've learned that I am not only a teacher of writing. I AM A WRITER. And the more I practice that craft, the more I learn about the teaching of it.
Gwen, thank you for sharing this lovely memory! I have minimal experience with whiting out, cutting and taping. Like you, I also prefer to print out drafts to read and edit/revise.
If I can find a typewriter, I'm curious how my fifth-graders will react. I wonder how it will change the writing process for my students. Since I grew up using Microsoft Word, I'm very comfortable typing documents. However, for more creative pieces, like poetry, I prefer handwriting in my notebooks. I think our writing desks would complement each other nicely! I also have stacks of unlined notecards and piles of Sharpies for brainstorming and capturing ideas! :)
I applaud your efforts to work on a novel! Good luck and let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Thank you, Adrian! Likewise!
The clickety-clack-clack of a typewriter-- both the sound and feel (pre-haptics) lured me to write and play at my mother's various typewriters across a period of 10+ years. The medium is indeed the message, the device itself a learning curve, a way to explore how one-dimensional the screen has rendered the writing process: automatic margins & borders; auto-correcting for initial caps, alerting the user to spelling errors, grammatical issues, etc.
We take so much for granted.
Melissa, I'm definitely chasing that clickety-clack sound! I'm curious how my fifth-graders will react to a typewriter. I wonder how it might change their relationship to the drafting process.
I just need to find one first! :)
BOOM!! Found a Brother, but it’s a 3hr drive from my place, up near Fargo.
Follow this link:
https://www.k-bid.com/auction/54644/item/787
I love the energy you have for creatively engaging your students! And, your desire to
Impress upon them the joy of writing, not merely the formulaic 5-paragraph stuff; rather getting students to write engaging pieces. As for typewriters, I was going to suggest Vale Typewriter in Richfield, MN, but they just closed up shop 😡😡 It was a very cool shop as everything about it was from our childhood.
Thank you, Chuck, for the kind words. Locating a typewriter is proving to be quite a challenge. Luckily, my quixotic nature is undeterred!
Your classroom seems like a sanctuary for thoughtful rebellion against digital distractions. Here’s to clacking keys and unfiltered creativity.
Thanks! I work hard to make my classroom a safe and fun learning environment.
Love this adventure, and your whole story, Adrian. There is nothing like a typewriter, and that SOUND.
My colleague/friend and the previous Dean of Fine Arts at UArts in Philadelphia has a whole public art project around the use of typewriters to listen. http://www.sheryloring.org/i-wish-to-say. It’s gorgeous and meaningful and all about creating space to listen. I am sure she’d love to hear about your project.
AND in Philadelphia, there is actually an organization dedicated to teaching young people how to fix old typewriters, and they loan them out for creative and educational projects. They are amazing! https://www.phillytypewriter.com/#/. If you make your way to Philadelphia, PA, Bryan and Bill have the coolest mission and collection!
Jane, thank you for sharing about the I Wish to Say project. So cool! There is a local poet, R.R. Noall, who types original poems, on the spot, for people. I love the idea of capturing people's thoughts and setting them down on paper immediately using a typewriter. https://www.rrnoall.com/typewriter-poetry/
I wish we had a Philly Typewriter program here in Denver! What a great experience for young people. I will definitely keep this in mind if I ever make it to Philly.
I have delightful memories of typing on my mom’s old typewriter when I was in elementary school :)
I have a student who has started to collect typewriters. When he and I brought ours in to class, the kids were fascinated. There's something powerful about even the force it takes to hit the keys. Something satisfying too. I think you're on to something here. Thanks for this fun post!!
I endorse this message about typewriters! I've had my Olivetti Lettera 35 for 45 years, and in the first lockdown re-discovered it.
https://www.juliangirdham.com/blog/teaching-technology-a-personal-history
And this from Kenny Pieper - https://sittingquietlyinthecornerwithabook.wordpress.com/2020/07/26/the-typewriter-revolution/
Yes!! That is one good-looking machine. I hope that whatever machine I find this summer, I can clean it up and get it in working order for my classroom.
I love that video about professional mathematicians hoarding Hagoromo chalk! I miss having a huge chalkboard in my classroom. I settle for having dry-erase boards, but it isn't the same. Thanks for sharing!
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