Day
Read Aloud
“The History of Print”
1
Key Idea From petroglyphs to computers, people have been writing and
sharing information for thousands of years.
Learning Focus
RI.2.3
Students listen closely to describe the connection between a series of historical events.
3 minutes
Previewing the Text
The History of Print
The First Written Symbols
Thousands of years ago, people used pictures to tell stories. These pictures were the first form
of writing. Ancient people drew scenes on rocks and in caves. The scenes showed people and
their animals. These kinds of pictures are petroglyphs, and they can be found in North America.
Hieroglyphics are symbols that tell stories. The ancient Egyptians who invented them made
about 60 different symbols. Each symbol was a thought or idea. When put together in a certain
order, the hieroglyphics told a story.
Who would like to share what they’ve learned from so far?
Close Listening to the Text
7 minutes
When I read a text like this, I pay close attention to the details. I see if I can make connections
between the historical events. For example, I thought the connection between petroglyphs
and hieroglyphs was interesting. Petroglyphs are the symbols used by ancient people in North
America, and hieroglyphs are the symbols used by ancient people in Egypt. As I read this next
section, see if you notice any interesting connections.
The First Alphabets
The Phoenicians, an ancient Mediterranean people, were the first people to invent an
alphabet. In the Phoenician alphabet, each symbol stood for a sound, not an idea as hieroglyphics
and petroglyphs did.
The Greeks, Romans, and Etruscans soon developed alphabets, too. Today, the Roman
alphabet is used in most European countries and those countries that were settled by Europeans.
Mondo Bookshop Grade 2 • Theme 5 1
From what I just read, it seems like the alphabet invented by the Phoenicians was the next step
in writing. Who would like to share something they noticed?
Keep thinking about connections between the things that happen in the text. So far we know
that petroglyphs and hieroglyphs came before alphabets. Let’s see what came after that.
The First Books and Printing Presses
The first books were very different from the books of today. Books on wax tablets were first
written in the 4th century. The first printed figures or words were carved into wood and stamped
onto paper. However, wooden blocks took a long time to carve and only lasted a short time.
Around 1450, a man named Johannes Gutenberg made blocks out of metal. These metal
blocks, called type, were small and could be moved around. They lasted a long time, which meant
that many copies of a book could be printed from the same type.
From what we just read, I learned that the first books were printed on wax tablets. Who would
like to share something they learned?
Who can share a connection they made?
Who can talk about a connection between the wood blocks and Gutenberg’s metal blocks?
You used details that you noticed to point out a strong cause-and-effect connection. Listen for
more details and connections as I finish reading the text.
The First Typewriters
The first typewriters were big. The keys were hard to use because of their size. An Italian
inventor, Pellegrino Turri, built the first typewriter in 1808. It worked well, but it was not sold to
the public.
An American named Christopher Sholes invented the first typewriter that people could buy. It
went on sale in 1874 and could type only in capital letters.
The First Computers
The first computers were huge—one would fill a whole room. John Atanasoff developed the
first electronic computer at Iowa State College in 1940. The first home computer sold to the
public was in 1975. It was called the Atlair 880, and people would buy the kit for $400 and built
it themselves. Two years later, Radio Shack and Apple II began to develop computers, and the
computer revolution began.
Discussing the Text
10 minutes
When I read the rest of the text, I noticed that the first typewriters were hard to use because
they were so big. This influenced, or caused, Christopher Sholes to make a smaller typewriter
that was easier to use. What connections did you notice?
What in the text makes you think that?
2 CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISTORICAL FIGURES
Day
Read Aloud
“The History of Print”
2
Learning Focuses
RI.2.3, RI.2.6
Students listen closely to identify the main idea, including what the author wants to answer,
explain, or describe, as they continue to describe the connection between a series of historical
events.
Reflecting on the Text
3 minutes
Let’s review the text I read to you in the last session. Who will share what this text was mostly
about?
Close Listening to the Text
7 minutes
Today as I reread “The History of Print,” let’s keep in our heads what we already know about
the connections between the events the author talks about. I’d also like for us to pay special
attention to the author’s main purpose for writing, or what the author is trying to explain.
It seems like this text is mainly about types of writing and printing.
The History of Print
The First Written Symbols
Thousands of years ago, people used pictures to tell stories. These pictures were the first form
of writing. Ancient people drew scenes on rocks and in caves. The scenes showed people and
their animals. These kinds of pictures are petroglyphs, and they can be found in North America.
Hieroglyphics are symbols that tell stories. The ancient Egyptians who invented them made
about 60 different symbols. Each symbol was a thought or idea. When put together in a certain
order, the hieroglyphics told a story.
The First Alphabets
The Phoenicians, an ancient Mediterranean people, were the first people to invent an
alphabet. In the Phoenician alphabet, each symbol stood for a sound, not an idea as hieroglyphics
and petroglyphs did.
Mondo Bookshop Grade 2 • Theme 5 1
As I read, listen for clues to the author’s main purpose. I’ll ask you to share your ideas.
The Greeks, Romans, and Etruscans soon developed alphabets, too. Today, the Roman
alphabet is used in most European countries and those countries that were settled by Europeans.
The First Books and Printing Presses
The first books were very different from the books of today. Books on wax tablets were first
written in the 4th century. The first printed figures or words were carved into wood and stamped
onto paper. However, wooden blocks took a long time to carve and only lasted a short time.
This text has a lot of information about petroglyphs and hieroglyphs, and also about the first
books and printing presses. What do you think the author’s main purpose might be?
I think that’s probably true.
Listen to more of the text now. Keep thinking about the connections between events and about
the author’s main purpose for writing.
Around 1450, a man named Johannes Gutenberg made blocks out of metal. These metal
blocks, called type, were small and could be moved around. They lasted a long time, which meant
that many copies of a book could be printed from the same type.
The First Typewriters
The first typewriters were big. The keys were hard to use because of their size. An Italian
inventor, Pellegrino Turri, built the first typewriter in 1808. It worked well, but it was not sold to
the public.
An American named Christopher Sholes invented the first typewriter that people could buy.
It went on sale in 1874 and could type only in capital letters.
In this last section, we read a lot of information about typewriters. Who can share something
about the author’s main idea?
As I read to the end, keep paying close attention to the main idea and author’s purpose.
The First Computers
The first computers were huge—one would fill a whole room. John Atanasoff developed the
first electronic computer at Iowa State College in 1940. The first home computer sold to the
public was in 1975. It was called the Atlair 880, and people would buy the kit for $400 and built
it themselves. Two years later, Radio Shack and Apple II began to develop computers, and the
computer revolution began.
Discussing the Text
10 minutes
I noticed that the author included a lot of information about computers. What’s the main idea
and author’s purpose here? Did you notice a connection between events we read about earlier?
Can anyone add to that?
Let’s talk about some of the connections between the historical events the author talks about in
this text. Who has an idea about that?
Remember, when we read, it helps to make connections between the concepts and ideas in the
text.
2 CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISTORICAL FIGURES