Teach how to rhyme in kindergarten with simple hand motions. Here is one way to make rhyming orally easier to teach in kindergarten.
I found myself asking, "How do I teach kindergartners how to rhyme?"
And not just how to identify two words that rhyme, but to make their own rhyming words.
If you asked me this question my first year of teaching, I would've responded - "It's just something they know or don't know."
That answer is only partially true. There is a developmentally ready piece that helps make a student hear, identify and produce rhyming words. I won't deny that.
But it doesn't mean we can't explicitly teach students how to produce rhyming words orally.
And I focus on producing rhyming words orally, because to model how to make rhyming words with letters would be a little over most of the kids' heads at the very beginning of the school year.
How to teach rhyming words orally
I've learned since my first year of teaching that making a visual and kinesthetic clue - a hand motion - helps my kinders understand what I'm asking for and are more likely to use them independently as a strategy later on.
And in this case - we're talking rhyming.
So here are my hand motions I came up with to teach how to rhyme that really worked for us. The neat thing? They will also lend themselves to teaching onset and rime. Yay!
Essentially teach them how to isolate the beginning sound(s) (onset) and replacing it with a new one - while keeping the end of the word intact.
Can't see the video? Be sure you're not running an ad blocker.
By using these hand motions, students could better "feel" the sounds as they said them out loud.
Using these motions, they were better at segmenting and blending onsets and rimes - not to mention that they caught on much quicker to hearing rhymes and making them on their own.
I started showing them how to rhyme using your motions and within a few days, they got it. I can see a difference between last year’s class and this one. I can just go down the rows on the rug and they give me a rhyming word like popcorn. No more “Give me a word that rhymes with snake,” — “Alligator??” – Ruth
Let's wrap it up
I hope this set of hand motions can be helpful to you and your class of kinders.
Just as I tell my kinders emphatically... the more we practice, the better we get!
Ready to work on more skills? Let's master the alphabet with some of my favorite free downloads.
Or let's go the next step with those who are ready and blend onsets and rimes!
If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
More reading skills
- Beginning Sounds – 5 Guided Reading Activities
- Ending Sounds – 9 Guided Reading Skill Group Materials
- 8 Free Rhyming Activities for Kindergarten
- Rhyming & Blending Onsets and Rime
Victoria says
Can’t see the video
Leslie Simpson says
If you have an ad blocker, that might be causing an issue. Try temporarily disabling to see the video.
Katherine Swider says
I'm just now finding your site in 2018! I am amazed at your teaching strategies and ideas! I am feeling so inspired. Thank you and I hope you continue to teach adults how to teach 🙂
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks Katherine and welcome!
Allison P. says
What is the hand motion for rhyming? Am I just missing it or is my computer not able to view the whole post?
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Hi Allison, it seemed that the video showing the motions wasn't playing correctly. I think I've fixed it. You should be able to see it now *fingers crossed*
- Leslie
Sandi MacDougall says
Thanks for sharing, Leslie.
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
You're welcome Sandi!
- Leslie
Maggie Huf says
Brilliant! Love how simple it is to remember too. Thank you for posting a video. I have used hand motions and music for many years, but it is always great to learn a new trick!
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks Maggie!
Kristin Lynn Vandro says
Have you thought about making a poster for each essential reading foundation as a reminder to the kids for which exercise you would be teaching/practicing (since we know it's a daily think in Kindergarten? 1 poster for rhyming, 1 for blending, 1 for segmenting, etc
Ps: what reading program do you use? Do you follow the daily oral language part (if your program includes one)?
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
I haven't, but do you mean like a visual cue including a reference to the hand motions {for example}? We have Journeys... but the boxes have yet to be opened in all honesty. I just do my own thing. I'm really big on using the standards to create my own curriculum.
- Leslie
Kristin Lynn Vandro says
I swear you read my mind! I have been thinking about this since I started teaching kindergarten but kept working with the reading curriculum I was provided. This makes so much sense! Thank you!
Leslie says
Ha ha! It can definitely be tricky to teach the concept for a five year old to understand. I wanted to first just tell them that rhyming words were rhyming words because they rhymed 😉 You're welcome!
- Leslie
Angelia says
Oh my goodness, I wish I had seen this earlier! My kiddos (special ed) really, really struggle with rhyming and onset/rhyme. I LOVE this. They really learn better with a visual/kinesthetic motion. I'm starting this tomorrow!
Angelia
Extra Special Teaching
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks Angelia - I think many of us learn better that way 😉
Brenda Fanjoy says
I teach my Pre K kids the letter sounds with a hand motion- motor memory really helps them learn quickly. I can also use it as a tool to help when they forget the letter sound/name. I also taught sound first then letter name.
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Oh yes! Incredibly key in teaching sounds! I used to always teach the sign language and still did this year, but mione really caught onto making a movement/motion that connected with the leap frog letter factory video that we watched the first week of school. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
- Leslie
Mrs. McKown says
Awesome post, Leslie! Some of my kinderkids continue to have a difficult time with rhyme. This will be a great "tool" to add to my tool box! Thank you for sharing!
Did want to let you know that some of your links to additional resources are not working :o(
(By the way, Paige just watched the video with me and she is now walking around using the hand movements, breaking words into onsets and rimes and substituting those initial phonemes! Ha!)
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
HA! Paige is such a cutie - I can just picture her doing that now! Thanks for the heads up about the items - the twofulbrighthugs site was live when I posted this, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that they come back soon!
- Leslie
Becky says
Thank you for linking to my Rhyme Time pack. 🙂
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
You're welcome Becky - thanks for creating free products for others to use! I hope many enjoy it!!
- Leslie
Tinambay says
Do you have motions or tips for blending? Thanks!
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Tina, I have a post that will be coming on using a simple tool we can all get our hands on that practices both segmenting and blending. It's not magic, but does help 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
- Leslie
Connie Jensen says
Thank you so much for this great post. We will be working on rhyming in our RTI groups in January, so the timing is perfect. You've given great tips and great links.
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks for sharing how you will use the tips and links Connie! Best wishes as your RTI groups get into full swing!
- Leslie
Mrs.Parker says
Great tip, Leslie! It's all those tricks of the trade that help lay a great foundation for reading success!
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks Mrs. Parker! Hope you're having an excellent December!
- Leslie
downunderteacherblog says
This is a super easy tip that any teacher can implement! I'm moving down to first grade next year and this will be great when we review word families at the start of the year!
Kylie
Down Under Teacher
Leslie @KindergartenWorks says
Thanks Kylie! I hope you have a great transition to first grade - all the best!
- Leslie