Punching Out Reading Skills
By Ann Kilbourn, Lifestyle Writer

When it comes to typing on a reliable Smith-Corona electric, the Type and Read Program's first-grade students at Parkview Elementary School have one row down, two to go. They can type and read anything that involves the letters a,s,d,f,g,h,j,k,l. They're also mastering use of the semicolon. Parkview, a Title One school in the Salt Lake City School District, qualifies for financial aid available to some neighborhood schools. Title One is a federal program that makes supplementary educational programs available that emphasize additional instruction in math and reading. The reading program involves the use of typewriters as a teaching aid for children whose reading skills aren't developed. Dr. Ethna Reid, one of the originators of the Type and Read Program, explained its development. Concerned with the number of children who had poor reading skills, Dr. Reid, Dr. Charles Parker, and Dr. Charles Pearce designed a program for teachers to help prevent reading problems. "We did not want a program that would re-instruct the students. We wanted something that would get the children started reading and avoid future problems," Dr. Reid explained. They developed a format that was first used in junior and senior high school classrooms "We moved the program to the lower grades where problems originate. The typing program has been a great motivator for students. They approach it with much enthusiasm," she said. "In the past, when a child need additional instruction in reading, he or she was labeled as not being one of the smarter children. "Now, these children are special. Other kids ask when they will get to attend the class. They sometimes hang around the classroom door to watch."For a child with reading difficulty, the class with typewriters is an asset. Dr. Reid explained that for a child who reads in the wrong direction, going from right to left, the typewriter automatically removes the problem. The child has no choice but to read the way the machine types, from left to right. Children who have trouble recognizing letters or letter sounds are also helped. Sensory experience, the feel of the keys, is a bonus she continued. "I think that any instructional method that is multi-sensory is more beneficial." The sensory aspects included in the Type and Read Program are many. The children first say the letter out loud. The sensation of finger touching a typewriter key is present. And the child sees the printed letter on his typing paper.

Say the Letter

As they type their letter, the children say that letter as it appears on the paper. After they are familiar with the letter name, they switch from naming the letter name to the sound the letter makes. They repeat the sound as they type. Margaret Barnes, teacher of the small typists, explained the procedure she uses in class at Parkview. "On the first day, we don't actually type. The children learn about the typewriters, where certain keys are, how to turn the machine on and off. "They also learn that 'the typewriter is not a toy'."Class materials, as Dr. Reid said, are not fancy. The children in Mrs. Barnes's class have a sheet of paper with letters to work from on a given day. They are taught correct sitting posture at the typewriter. They are taught how to place paper in the machine. "I always tell the children that what we will do is learn to read and type the letter. It is important for them to be familiar with each letter and the sound it makes." Mrs. Barnes has her typing students for 30 minutes each day. Twenty minutes are spent at the typewriter. The last 10 minutes are spent working on other reading skills. The students start out mastering letters. From there they move to words, then phrases. After punctuation exercises, they move on to sentences. Four-word sentences are getting underway for her students. The letters are always vocalized, "j,j,j, space." When the children start to type words, the word is incorporated into the lesson. When typing words, they speak the letters, then the word they have spelled. As they learn to type new letters, the children are learning correct fingering.

Story Characters

Using the Type and Read teacher workbook, Mrs. Barnes explained that soon her students will be introduced to story characters. Jed and Kate, the names they've learned to spell, will eventually appear in typed sentences in their assignments. Mrs. Barnes said that the children learn to recognize words and read sentences they have written."A key factor in the program is repetition. Each step in this learning program emphasizes it. It all progresses according to plan. "It is a good reinforcement for the children. I think they are all doing well. But first grade is a difficult age to analyze. Children change a great deal in first grade," Mrs. Barnes said. At first, the children were a bit awkward with the typewriters, she continued. But now they are relaxed and doing well. "You have to get a feel for the typewriter." For her class, a major step came with the introduction of the typewriter shift key. A little difficult, but they did catch on, she said.Because the threat of monotony lurks, Mrs Barnes provides variation for her students. "It isn't in the workbook, but sometimes I have the children close their eyes while they type. "They love to do that. It is good for them because they have to concentrate and visualize the letter as they type." "It is great for students with poor reading skills who often don't recognize letter shapes or sounds," Dr. Reid said. "At teacher evaluation sessions, teachers have talked about the changes in their students who take Read and Type. "They couldn't believe the changes. The kids would come from typing class quietly and work carefully for the rest of the day. Thirty minutes a day is a good time allotment. The children don't get bored or restless. They leave wanting to come back," Dr. Reid said. As for the Parkview typists, their philosophies are enthusiastic. Neil Romero said he enjoys the class because he likes learning to type. Duc Nguyen's most memorable day was the one when he spelled "sled,""hat,""Dad", and "had." He said he enjoys the class because he wants to learn to read and the class helps him. Joseph Fowler just likes typing. His big moment came when the class learned the intricacies of typing capital J.According to educational policy, they are learning to type, spell and, most important, read. Theoretically, they could move on to shorthand next year.