Find an intriguing poem (or write one.)

Create four pencil drawings to help us visualize your poem.

Here is an example of a finished poem project.

Important Tips

• Make your drawings dark and retrace with pencil often!
• Draw a connection to the edge of your paper so you can easily clip an alligator clip.
• Don't forget to draw a connection for Earth!

Record four separate audio samples in Scratch. Here are some of my favorite student projects!

Important Tips

• Print this "Getting Started with Scratch and Makey Makey" guide if it is helpful!
• Remember to program each arrow key as a different line (or stanza ) of the poem.
• You can edit your audio clips in Scratch!
• Use the handout to get started programming in Scratch.

Connect your drawings to Makey Makey and program your drawings to "say" your audio samples.

What are you Learning?

• With each re-read you are reaching a deeper comprehension of the poem.
• By reading aloud, you are also understanding the way poetry is written and how to perform linebreaks, stanzas, etc.
• How to create programs for computer keys (Create events with if/then statements)
• How graphite is conductive (and even loses conductivity over time)

Go Further with Scratch

Go further with Scratch and the writing process by creating a poem generator! Have students write multiple phrases that could accompany drawings and then use the "pick random" block from the operator palette to make their own poetry generator! 

Other Resources

• Adapting for Elemakers
• Blackout Poetry and Scratch- Instructables Guide
• Another teacher’s hack on poetry and Makey Makey
• Top Five Lessons for Integrating Makey Makey into the Classroom
• Other interactive poetry ideas
• Lighting up Poetry with Chibi Chip