Rhyme and Writing

Introduction

• Introduce the lesson by reminding students of the word families they already know. Potential discussion questions include: What does it mean when words are in a "family"? What word families do we already know?
• Explain that having the same ending sound also means that these words rhyme with each other. Poems and songs often use rhyming to create a rhythm, or a repeated pattern of sound, and sometimes poems will also tell a story.
• Read the Ann Ran poem with words from the -an family. As you read aloud, encourage your students to find a rhythm. Stress each syllable as it is read.
• Remind students that a word is broken up into syllables and that all words contain syllables. A syllable is a combination of letters that have a vowel and make one single sound.
• Model clapping as you say words from the poem to demonstrate syllables.
• As you read a line with a particular rhythm, start a discussion. Great guiding questions include: Can you hear the rhythm? Can you clap out the rhythm? Reread the poem and clap with your students.
• Bring up a discussion on poems. Potential discussion questions include: Was this a real or make believe story? Could this have really happened? Was this poem as long as some of the books we have read?
• Explain that a poem is often much shorter than stories. Reassure your students that their writing today does not have to be too long.