CP: How Books Are Handmade At The Last Printing Press Of Its Kind In The US | Still Standing

Class Plans
Featured Image

Set the Scene:

Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of handmade books. Please consider the following:

  • Have you ever held a handmade book or seen one being made? What was your impression?
  • How do you think the process of creating a handmade book differs from printing a digital book?
  • What value do you think handmade books hold in today’s digital age?
  • Have you ever visited a library or a bookstore with a unique collection of books? What caught your attention?
  • How do you think the art of handmade bookmaking can be preserved for future generations?

Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:

Look at the featured image and describe what you see. What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Consider the following questions:

  • What objects or tools do you see in the image?
  • What kind of environment or setting does the image depict?
  • What emotions or feelings does the image evoke?

Introduction:

Please read the introduction to the activity, which describes Ariane Press and its traditional craftsmanship in producing handmade books.

Video Engagement:

Watch the video associated with the activity, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1xKcRrn_i4 or visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/how-books-are-handmade-at-the-last-printing-press-of-its-kind-in-the-us-still-standing/. Pause the video at the following strategic points:

  1. When the video shows the monotype machine from the 1890s, pause and discuss: What do you think is the significance of using such an old machine in the bookmaking process?
  2. When the video describes the process of arranging individual letters into a page layout, pause and discuss: How do you think this process contributes to the uniqueness of handmade books?
  3. When the video shows the bindery where each piece of the book is folded, sewn, and glued together by hand, pause and discuss: What do you think is the value of having a physical, tangible book in today’s digital age?

Vocabulary and Grammar Focus:

Review the key vocabulary and grammar focus sections, which cover terms such as monotype machine, letterpress printing, typecasting, foundry, bindery, handmade books, traditional craftsmanship, apprenticeship, and digital obsolescence. Practice using the present perfect continuous tense to describe ongoing actions with a connection to the present, as seen in the grammar focus section.

Complete the vocabulary quiz and grammar quiz to reinforce your understanding of the material.