QUESTION:
If 304 students
from 12 sixth grade classes
take the same 48 words,
rearrange them,
then share their creations
with their cross-country counterparts,
what do you get?
ANSWER: Poem Pals!
In March, we’ll kick off a cross-country collaboration between sixth graders in New York State’s Capital Region and California’s San Francisco Bay Area. Students will use poem RENOVATION to rearrange a 48-word passage from Refugee, by Alan Gratz (Scholastic Press). Then they’ll share their creations across the miles.
Here’s the passage:
Towering shadows burst into the room. The air seemed to crackle around them like static from a radio. Josef tried to hide in the corner of his bed, but shadowy hands snatched at him. Grabbed for him. He screamed even louder than his little sister, drowning her out.
Some students are already busy working on their creations. Here’s one:
Over time, we’ll introduce new Poem Pal challenges using different literary passages. Ideas include bringing visual art into the mix and having students team up to create alternating lines of the same poem.
Just think of all the cool creations and connections students will make!