Author(s): Amelia Hagiepetros

How Can Coding Enhance the Presentation of Poetry?

Students will be learning about how to incorporate presentation elements into Shakespeare or another piece of poetry that they like. In order to better understand the different facets of language, they will be asked to adapt pre-prepared code, or to tinker and use the code to enhance their chosen work.

How is it used in a classroom setting?

1. Video Hook
   Lego Hamlet Monologue – YouTube

   • Students will view the LEGO version of Hamlet’s monologue from Act 5, Scene 1 (or a similar adaptation if the video is unavailable).

   • Teacher will ask guiding questions:

     • Do you think classic texts like Shakespeare can be adapted like this to be more interesting?

     • Do you find that this style is more engaging?

     • What do you think this type of presentation does to the meaning of Shakespeare’s text?

     • How do the characters make you feel?

   • Discussion point: Using technology can change how we feel about something when we use it to demonstrate our interpretation.

2. Interactive Activity – Scratch
   Shakespeare Insult Generator on Scratch

   • Students will explore the Shakespeare Insult Generator project.

   • Teacher prompts discussion:

     • Do you feel like Shakespeare is more approachable now that you’ve used this generator?

     • If yes, great! Now you are going to do something similar.

How to work on it:

• Students will access the above code. They will spend some time exploring the above code and looking at the different scenes.

• They will then pick another piece of Shakespeare or other literature they like. This can include rap, or poetry.

They will do one of two things:

a. They will tinker with the code in order to change it to their piece of writing or:
b. Adapt the code to perform a whole new scene that can be incorporated into the performance.
c. For both of these options they will need to include elements of sound, images, animation (changing costumes to simulate movement).
d. They will need to keep in mind the following questions:

i. What do I want the watcher to take away from the performance?

ii. What are my choices for sound/animation/movement to emphasize what I want the watcher to take away from this?

The consolidation portion:

1. In the final few minutes, the students will write a short
one-paragraph reflection on what they were trying to achieve
and how they feel they achieved or didn’t and next steps.

2. Any student who wishes to share will be able to.

Further resource information:

Learning to Code & Coding to Learn

Grade(s):  8 – 10

Main Subject: English – Language

Other integrated subjects: Coding

URL Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1141575660

Tags: Shakespeare, poetry, Hamlet