Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Choose a story that contains many rhyming words. For example, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
2. Create a “hungry monster” that students can feed slips of paper to

Implementation:

Session 1:

1. Introduce students to your chosen story
2. Read the story aloud in an engaging way
3. Ask students whether they noted anything interesting about the story
   1. Explain that you heard a lot of rhyming words and ask students if they can give an example
   2. Give students an example of a pair of rhyming words, clearly explaining the part they have in common. For example: “In this story, lake and snake rhyme because they both say ake at the end of the word”
4. Re-read the story and have students identify rhyming words and attempt to say the part they both have in common

 Session 2:

1. Re-introduce the story and ask students if they can remember anything special about the story (that it has rhyming words)
2. Re-read the text, saying the first word in a rhyming pair but leaving out the second
3. Ask students to help you think of the rhyming word that belongs in that section
   1. Help them consider the context of the story
4. After the story is finished, provide students with more rhyming word pairs and ask students to come up with additional words that rhyme with them

 Session 3:

1. Introduce the Hungry Hungry Monster to students
   1. Reinforce that he is a friendly monster
   2. Explain that he is very hungry but only likes to eat words that rhyme with the words that he says
2. Pretend to be the monster (or to listen to the monster) and say a word
3. Ask students to try to come up with a rhyme for that word
4. If a student comes up with a correct rhyme, write it on a piece of paper and allow them to feed it to the monster
   1. Model this writing for the class if desired
5. After the monster has eaten lots of rhymes, explain to the class that they did a great job of feeding him and he is ready for a nap!

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Pre-teach the concept of rhyme and practice with students
- Allow students to generate rhymes in their first language

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Review the concept of rhyme with students and practice with them in advance

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Choose stories that reflect classroom diversity

Related References

Source:
Trehearne, M. P. Kindergarten Teachers Resource Book. Nelson Thomson Learning.

Evidence:
Pullen, P. C. & Justice, L. M. (2003). Enhancing phonological awareness, print awareness, and oral language skills in preschool children. Intervention in School and Clinic, 39, 87-98.