Lesson 11

Makey Makey

In this lesson, students will gain an introduction to physical computing by learning about Makey Makey devices, connecting them to their computers, and experimenting with materials to discover which ones will work with the Makey Makey.

English Language Arts Expansion

The lesson can be taught in conjunction with storybooks about computer scientists. See sample lesson plan for the storybook Ada Twist.

Computer Science Lesson Plan

Objectives

Computer Science Objectives

Students will explore and experiment with a variety of materials to discover which ones are conductive and can be connected to a Makey Makey
Students will use physical computing to control an app on their computer using external objects.

Language Objectives

Students will use knowledge of language and its convention to explain why certain materials are conductive
Students will use knowledge of language convention to negotiate with peers to choose certain materials to experiment with Makey Makey

Language Frames

Lesson 11 Language Frames Placemat

Emerging

I connect myself to the ground to conduct electricity

I think [material] will be good/bad, because ____

I understand that_____is a good/bad material, because pressing those keys works now.

[Material names] are good/bad, because pressing the keypads works/ doesn’t work

I can use Makey Makey to ___.

Expanding

I connect myself to the ground to close the circuit

I guess [material name] will/will not let electricity pass through, because I have seen ___ (more elaborate explanation than emerging)

I realize that electricity passes through me ___

I observe that [material names] let/ do not let electricity pass through them ___

I think I will use Makey Makey to ___, because today I have experimented with __ and ___

Bridging

I am holding the earth clip which closes the electric circuit

I predict [material name] will be conductive/non-conductive. This is because … (more elaborate explanation than expanding)

I can say that the human body is a conductor, because I am now grounded/ connected to earth

From my observation that __, I can say that [material names] are conductors/ not conductors

I want to use Makey Makey to __ because I have observed __ I plan to test __

Lesson Plan

Lesson 11-12: Introduce Makey Makey

Vocabulary

computer science: A field in which people use the power of computers to solve big problems.
physical computing: building interactive physical systems by the use of software and hardware that can sense and respond to the analog world.

Materials

Projector
Computing devices for student
Makey Makey invention kits, one per group
Materials to connect to the Makey Makey . Suggestions:

Playdough (remember to have wipes to clean sticky materials after the experiment)

Tinfoil, metal objects like coins, clips, and spoons

Fruits (banana is a fun option), marshmallow

Paper and pencil to build Makey Makey controller (example video)

Non-conductive materials that won’t work include plastic, wood, and rubber.

Student Workbook (p. 16-17) or handouts: What is a Makey Makey?

Additional Resources

Makey Makey website
Makey Makey how-to guide
Additional Makey Makey apps to explore

Standards

Computer Science

CSTA 1B-CS-02: Model how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.

English Language Arts

ELA L.3.3: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
ELA L.3.6: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships.

English Language Development

1. Exchanging information and ideas
3. Offering opinions

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