Emphasizing Rhyme Through Movement

This lesson plan is an adaptation of a lesson plan in the book, Phonemic Awareness in Young Children. (p.91) by Adams, Foorman, Lundberg, and Beeler. 
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company, 2001  

Objective:        To focus students' attention on rhyme.

Activity:           This is a multisensory activity. Recite the traditional children's rhyme “One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four”, while moving around the group in a circle pounding the stressed syllables on the fists of each student.  The student whose fist is pounded on the last rhyming word of each line must put that hand behind his/her back.  When the student loses both hands, he/she is out.  The last child remaining with a fist is the new “It”.  After playing twice, ask the students why they think they are out when their fist is pounded on “more”.

                        Read the traditional rhyme, The Big Fat Hen illustrated by Keith Baker.  Reread.  As part of the second reading, encourage students to chime in saying the rhyming words loudly.  Repeat the activity, this time say the rhyming words in a whisper.  Repeat again, following the format of the “Potato Game” pounding the fists of the children.

                        Test for Rhyme Detection and Rhyme Production using the following instrument.

Name: ___________________         Date: _______

Emphasizing Rhyme Through Movement

A Big Fat Hen        

Rhyme Detection Assessment

1. four              more                 YES          NO

2. three             tree                 YES          NO

3. five               fat                   YES          NO

4. seven            ten                    YES          NO

5. nine               line                   YES          NO

Score: ________

Rhyme Production Assessment

1. two                _______          YES          NO

2. four              _______          YES          NO

3. six                _______          YES          NO

4. eight             _______          YES          NO

5. ten                _______          YES          NO

Score: ________

Total Score: _______

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