For those of you just popping in, I have put together 5 activities for teachers to use typewriter in a classroom setting. This is number 3 of 5. So, please excuse all the education lingo.
This is my favorite activity so far. I like it so much that I am going to use it when we get to Romanticism (in a few days). It’s such a great thing to see student-made publications. When it comes to examples there thousands of good (and school-appropriate) zines yo could bring for inspiration. Look in your own community. I am sure you’ll find something.
Supplies Needed
Several typewriters
Paper
Access to a Xerox machine
Saddle stapler
Markers
Old magazines
Glue
Tape
Zine introduction slideshow*
Set-Up Steps
1. Have the Zine presentation queued up and ready to go.
2. Arrange your desks into groups of four.
3. Put all the supplies the students might need on group desk.
4. Set up a “binding station” on a table or desk somewhere in the room.
Activity Overview
By creating a Zine in response to a literary selection, students will have the opportunity to express their opinions about a work an its meaning in a larger context. Also, students will be able to express opinions in a public forum. Zines are intensely personal so each group’s product will be vastly different. Don’t worry if the result is a little odd or strange. This is an acceptable outcome to this assignment.
Instructional Narrative
Anticipatory set: “Does anyone know what a Zine is?” (Allow time for discussion.)
A Zine is an amateur magazine, but there is so much more to them. I would like to go through this presentation for you. If you have any questions, write them down on a piece of paper and you will get a chance to ask them later.
We are going to make Zines as a way to reflect and comment on what we have learned about Romantic literature. Romantics were inspired by nature and believed in the Romantic Notion. You are going to answer this question in the form of a Zine:
Does the Romantic Notion have a place in the 21st century?
You will work with your table groups. If you feel like working on this project alone, that would be perfectly fine, you just need to let your table group and me know.
I am putting no restrictions on genre or style. As long as your Zine answers the guiding question (as you see the answer) you will have completed the requirements. Please give this an effort. What you put into this project will be reflected in your grade. I will give each table group a rubric to assist in developing their Zine. You will have a number of days to work on this project.
You may use any of the tools at your table. Typewriter, pens, pencils, magazine cutouts, etc. Be very creative.
Whatever you turn in will be copied and returned to you. Yo can then take what you have over the binding station and assemble it. Each table will make 20 copies of their Zine and we will make them available to our school community.
Other people will read it, so make sure that it represents our best work. We will deal with other problems as they arise. Are there any questions?
Wrapping It Up
You will have to make all the copies for the students, but it shouldn’t be too difficult. Let them bind them and put them together. You will need to keep an eye on the content. Use the standards of your school be your guide. If in doubt, ask a colleague you trust.
You can use the finished products as fodder for reflections or other types of writing assignments.
Remember, this assignment can easily be altered to fit whatever you are teaching. Just change the guiding question.
*The slideshow will be done fairly soon. You will be able to download it here.
