Writer Rabbit
Build Your Child's Writing Skills
Ages 7-10
A product of The Learning Company
Introducing Writer Rabbit
Writer Rabbit is a playful and imaginative educational program designed to help children aged 7-10 develop essential early writing and reading skills. Through a series of engaging party games, children learn to identify sentence parts, construct complete sentences, and create their own amusing stories. The program aims to make learning to write easy and fun, fostering creativity and building a strong foundation in grammar and sentence construction.
The Learning Company, a leader in educational software since 1980, has developed Writer Rabbit with a focus on proven educational theory, imaginative graphics, and engaging animation. The program has received numerous awards and accolades for its quality and effectiveness.
System Requirements
Writer Rabbit runs on the following systems:
- Apple II or II+ with 64K RAM
- Apple IIe
- Apple IIc
- Disk II or UniDisk 5.25/3.5 drive
- Color monitor recommended (but not required)
- Optional: Dot matrix printer
Credits
Program and Design: Leslie Grimm (Coordinator and Lead Designer), Dennis Caswell (Lead Programmer and Artist), Gene Genoar (Silly Story Party), Sid Weber (Cake Games and quality assurance), Shaun Gordon (Operating system, printer interface, menu), Pete Rowe (Proportional character generator).
Design Consultants: Pat Neu, Irene Sanchez, Ariella Lehrer, Bill Dinsmore, Cynthia Bruschi, Cindy Grimm, Diana James-Cairns.
Production Coordinators: Joshua Marks, Rob Powers.
Field Testing: Pat Neu.
Manual Writer: Janet Joers.
Illustrator: Margaret Larsen.
© 1986 The Learning Company. All Rights Reserved.
Getting Started
To begin playing Writer Rabbit:
- Insert the Writer Rabbit disk (Side 1 up) into the disk drive and turn on your computer.
- After the opening screen, a window will appear prompting you to choose a game level (A, B, or C). Level A is the easiest. Press
[T]for level descriptions. - Select the main menu.
- Choose "Sentence Hints" first to learn about sentence parts and complete sentences.
- Select the first game, "Ice Cream Game," from the menu.
- Choose "See how to play" for game instructions, then "Play the game."
- Press
?(the question mark key) at any time for help.
The program is pre-configured for immediate play, but game options can be customized later via "Special Features."
Choosing a Game or Program Option
Writer Rabbit features six games, a "Sentence Hints" tutorial, and "Special Features" for customization and score management.
To select a game or option:
- Use the ARROW KEYS to move the highlight bar.
- Press SPACE BAR to make your selection.
Note: Side 1 of the disk contains the first five games; Side 2 contains "Silly Story Party." Follow on-screen prompts to load the correct side.
Game Overview:
- Ice Cream Game: Identify sentence parts to operate an ice cream machine.
- Cake Game 1: Find sentence parts within sentences to make cakes.
- Cake Game 2: Locate sentence parts by selecting individual words.
- Cake Game 3: Determine the correct order of sentence parts to make cakes.
- Juice Game: Identify complete sentences, add parts, and arrange them correctly.
- Silly Story Party: Create original stories by filling in missing sentence parts.
- Sentence Hints: Learn about all sentence parts and how to form complete sentences.
- Special Features: Customize game settings (speed, timer, sound, reading level, sentence parts) and manage scores and stories.
Using Special Keys and Getting Help
You can access help and control program functions from anywhere using these keys:
- ESC: Returns to the previous menu or screen.
- CONTROL + S: Turns sound on or off.
- CONTROL + T: Turns the timer on or off.
- ? (Question Mark): Displays help windows with explanations, hints, or descriptions.
Help windows may span multiple screens. Follow prompts or press ESC to return.
Before Playing the Games
It is recommended to start with "Sentence Hints" from the main menu. This section explains sentence parts and how to form complete sentences, providing examples. You can refer to the "Sentence Parts" section on page 27 for a detailed list.
The Games
When you select a game, a machine graphic appears, followed by the game menu. The menu typically offers three options:
- Play the game / Write! (starts the game)
- See how to play (displays instructions)
- Go to Main Menu (returns to the main menu)
Use the ARROW KEYS and SPACE BAR to make selections. If the timer is on, a bar indicates remaining time.
After completing most games (except Silly Story Party), you can view your score and print an award certificate. Your score is based on "carrots" earned. The scoreboard shows current and previous game results.
Ice Cream Game
In this game, you identify sentence parts displayed at the top of the ice cream machine. Correctly identifying a part turns carrots into ice cream scoops. You can customize which sentence parts are used and how many. Hints are provided if you make mistakes.
The Cake Games
These games involve finding sentence parts within sentences to create party cakes. There are three levels of difficulty.
- Cake Game 1: Select the correct sentence part from a sentence.
- Cake Game 2: Locate sentence parts by selecting individual words within the sentence.
- Cake Game 3: Arrange sentence parts in the correct order to form a sentence.
Correct answers earn carrots, which are transformed into triple-decker cakes. Hints are given for incorrect answers.
Juice Game
This game challenges players to first identify if a group of words forms a complete sentence. Then, they add sentence parts and choose the best order to construct a complete sentence. Each correct answer earns a glass of carrot juice.
Silly Story Party
This game encourages creative writing. Players can choose sentence parts from a list or type their own to complete stories. You can choose to see the story as you build it or hide it until completion. The game offers different story types and vocabulary levels.
To play: Select sentence parts or type your own. Press [return] when done typing. After completing a story, you can play it again, read it again, print it, or save it to disk.
Saving Stories: Requires a disk and naming the story (up to 15 characters). Follow on-screen prompts.
Special Game Features
Access "Special Features" from the main menu to manage game settings and progress:
- Game Options: Adjust timer, speed, sound, reading level, sentence parts used, and inclusion of WHY/HOW parts.
- Scores: View individual or summary scores, save, clear, and load scores.
- Printing: Print current scores, saved scores, or saved stories. Set up printer configuration.
- Go to Main Menu: Return to the main menu.
Setting Game Options
Within "Game Options," you can change settings like timer, speed, sound, sentence parts for the Ice Cream Game, reading level, and sentence length. Default settings are provided for each level (A, B, C).
Default Settings Example (Level A): Timer Off, Speed Slow, Sound On, Sentence Parts: WHO, WHERE, Reading Level: 2nd grade words, Sentence Length: 2-3 words, WHY/HOW: No.
Scores and Charts
The "Scores" menu allows you to view score summaries and game charts. Score summaries show overall performance across games. Game charts provide detailed breakdowns of correct/incorrect responses and time usage for specific games (Ice Cream, Cake 1 & 2).
Saving Scores: Similar to saving stories, requires a disk and naming the score file.
Clearing Scores: Removes scores from memory.
Loading Scores: Loads previously saved scores. This will erase current scores in memory.
Printing Scores and Stories
You can print scores and saved stories from the "Printing" option in "Special Features." Options include printing current scores, saved scores, or saved stories. You can also print a story directly from the "Silly Story Party" game.
Printer Set-Up: Before printing, configure your printer settings (type, interface, slot, line feed). This can be accessed via the "Printing" menu or directly from the "Special Features" menu.
The Learning List: Concepts and Skills
Writer Rabbit enhances writing and reading skills by teaching sentence construction step-by-step. The games build upon each other, reinforcing concepts.
- Ice Cream Game: Identifying sentence parts in isolation. Improving reading comprehension.
- Cake Game 1: Locating specific sentence parts within a sentence. Improving reading comprehension.
- Cake Game 2: Locating sentence parts one word at a time.
- Cake Game 3: Recognizing the order of sentence parts in a sentence.
- Juice Game: Recognizing complete sentences, adding parts, determining order.
- Silly Story Party: Choosing and writing sentence parts to complete stories, developing creativity.
Additional Activities
Sentence Sense: A multiplayer game where players take turns building sentences by adding WHO, WHAT, DID WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, and WHY parts. This game can be played with one or two friends.
Write Away!: Use provided templates to write awards, announcements, party invitations, or newspaper stories. This section guides users on what information to include for each type of writing.
Special Keys
A comprehensive list of keys and their functions:
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| ARROW KEYS | Moves the highlight bar down/right or up/left. |
| DELETE | Erases a typed letter. |
| SPACE BAR | Makes selections in games and menus; underlines sentence parts in Cake Game 2. |
| RETURN | Selects underlined sentence parts (Cake Game 2); confirms actions when prompted. |
| ESC | Returns to the previous menu or screen. |
| ? (Question Mark) | Displays help windows from anywhere in the program. |
| CONTROL + S | Turns the sound on and off. |
| CONTROL + T | Turns the timer on or off. |
| SHIFT + letter | Capitalizes the letter (Apple II & IIe). |
| CONTROL + A | Capitalizes the next letter pressed (Apple II & IIe). |
Sentence Parts
Understanding sentence parts is key to building sentences in Writer Rabbit.
| Part | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| WHO | Names a person or group of people | six silly boys Mr. Hooper my teacher we |
| WHAT | Names animals or things | six drippy ducks my puppy a new wagon the big bike |
| DID WHAT | Tells what happened | made a mess rode a bike got sick giggled |
| WHEN | Tells the time something happened | in the morning at six o'clock last year on Sunday |
| WHERE | Tells the place something happened | in a puddle under a box on a pig's back next to a frog |
| WHY | Tells the reason something happened | for a surprise just for fun for no reason for the money |
| HOW | Tells the way something happened | very neatly with good form loudly too fast |
Complete Sentences Examples:
- WHAT + DID WHAT: A duck sang a song.
- WHO + DID WHAT: The man sang a song.
- WHO + DID WHAT + WHERE: The man sat in the park.
- WHO + DID WHAT + WHEN: My mom ran on Sunday.
- WHAT + DID WHAT + WHEN: My cat ran on Sunday.
Limited Warranty
The Learning Company warrants the diskette and software for 90 days from purchase against defects. Defective products will be replaced upon return with proof of purchase. This warranty is in lieu of all others and excludes incidental/consequential damages.
Damaged Disk Replacement Policy: Disks damaged by the user can be replaced for a fee ($10.00 plus handling).
Back-Up Disk Policy: An additional copy of the diskette can be obtained for $12.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.
Contact information for The Learning Company is provided for returns and inquiries.
Other Award-Winning Programs
The Learning Company offers a range of educational software:
- Reading/Writing Skills: Reader Rabbit & Writer Rabbit
- Math Skills: Math Rabbit
- Spelling Skills: (Not specified)
- Thinking/Problem-Solving Skills: Gertrude's Secrets & Moptown Hotel
- Advanced Problem Solving Skills: Rocky's Boots & Robot Odyssey
- Magic Spells
The Learning Company is located at 545 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Phone: (800) 852-2255.
