In today’s Walking Classroom, the kids and Mrs. Fenn focus on Johannes Gutenberg and his invention of the printing press in the early 1400s. Before Gutenberg’s invention, most books were copied by hand, few books existed, and few people learned how to read. The invention of the printing press changed the world as information and ideas could be learned and shared quickly and easily.
Character Value: Long-term goals
Click for Standards Alignment
Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RH.6-8.3, RH.6-8.4
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Johannes Gutenberg Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Johannes Gutenberg Slide Deck
Describes the evolution of the art of printing wallpaper, from hand-carved blocks pressed onto paper, to conveyor belt printing.
Explains the story of Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press.
Explore Gutenberg’s hometown, including the Gutenberg Museum, in this video tour.
As a class, play a Jeopardy!-style game to test knowledge of the printing press.
Make your own illuminated manuscript to understand how hard book-making was before the printing press.
Identify terms relating to Gutenberg and the printing press.
Write a story that is the same length as the first book ever made on a printing press in an activity from the National Print Museum.
See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Social Studies
See More Themed Groupings that Contain this Podcast: Biographies, Historical Figures, Innovators: Artists, Inventors & More, Middle Ages & Renaissance