I’ve been exploring different ways to incorporate music into an ELA class. Here is one option for a 2nd grade class.

Contact me at Elisabeth *at* erzsie.com to learn more or would like to work with me on developing similar lesson plans!

Lesson Focus

Rhyming in developing literacy skills, particularly decoding skills

Standard

Phonological awareness and literacy skills development

Content and Language Objectives

* Students will understand the concept of rhyming and its significance in decoding words while reading. * Students will be able to identify and articulate rhyming words in spoken and written language. * Students will use rhyming strategies to decode unfamiliar words in reading passages. * Students will participate in discussions about the role of rhyming in language development and reading comprehension.

Resources and Materials

* Child-friendly song with a catchy beat: Prepare a 30-second clip of a song that is appropriate for children and has a clear beat for the engagement activity at the beginning of the lesson. * Rhyming book: Choose a rhyming book such as “Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster” or any other age-appropriate rhyming storybook to read aloud during the lesson core. * Printed rhyming word lists: Prepare printed lists of common rhyming words (e.g., cat, hat, bat) and nonsense words (e.g., zat, fip, mook) for the rhyming practice activity. * Writing materials: Provide pencils or crayons and paper for students to use during the writing activity where they’ll be asked to write two sentences that rhyme. * Whiteboard or chart paper: Use a whiteboard or chart paper to write down examples of rhyming words and record students’ responses during the discussion and activities. * Rubric for assessment: Prepare a rubric for assessing students’ performance on the summative assessment task and provide feedback on their rhyming sentences. * Optional: If available, you may also consider using manipulatives such as word cards or rhyming puzzles for hands-on rhyming activities.

Vocabulary

rhyme, decoding, syllable, phonics, word family, blend, segment, onset

Assessment Plan

* Observations: Observe students’ participation and engagement during class discussions, group activities, and hands-on exercises related to rhyming and decoding. * Checkpoints: Use informal checkpoints throughout the lesson to assess individual students’ understanding. This could involve asking students to identify rhyming words, decode specific words, or explain rhyming patterns. * Exit Tickets: At the end of the lesson, provide students with exit tickets containing questions or tasks related to the lesson objectives. This will help you assess their immediate grasp of the concepts taught.

Lesson Introduction

* Engagement Activity (5 minutes): Begin by playing a 30-second clip of a child-friendly song with a catchy beat. Instruct the students to tap to the beat of the song using their hands or feet. This activity will help to get the students focused and engaged while also introducing the concept of rhythm and beat. * Transition to Reading (2 minutes): After the song, gather the students’ attention and transition them to the reading portion of the lesson.

Lesson Core

* Read the Rhyming Book (10 minutes): Read aloud a rhyming book such as “Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster.” Pause occasionally to discuss the rhymes and ask students to identify them as they hear them in the story. Encourage active participation by asking questions like, “What words sound the same at the end?” or “Can you think of another word that rhymes with __?” * Rhyming Practice (10 minutes): After reading the book, provide examples of common words (e.g., cat, hat, bat) and ask students to come up with rhyming words. Then, introduce some nonsense words (e.g., zat, fip, mook) and ask students to create rhymes for them. This activity will reinforce the concept of rhyming and encourage creativity in wordplay.

Lesson Conclusion

* Write Rhyming Sentences (5 minutes): For the final activity, instruct students to write two sentences that rhyme. For example, “I like to play with my cat, he’s as soft as a mat” or “I went for a walk with my dog, through the fog, we saw a frog.” Encourage students to share their rhyming sentences with the class if time allows. * Recap and Reflection (3 minutes): Conclude the lesson by recapping the key concepts learned about rhyming. Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they can use rhyming in their everyday language and reading.

Reflection

* Recall: Start by asking students to recall the main concepts they learned during the lesson. Prompt them to remember the definition of rhyming and some examples of rhymes they encountered. * Application: Next, encourage students to think about how they can use rhyming in their everyday lives. Prompt them to consider situations where rhyming might be helpful, such as when writing poems, songs, or even in everyday conversation. * Connection to Reading: Discuss with students how rhyming can help with reading and decoding words. Prompt them to think about how recognizing rhymes in stories and poems can make reading more enjoyable and easier to understand. * Personal Experience: Allow students to share their personal experiences with rhyming. Encourage them to talk about any rhymes they’ve come up with on their own or any rhyming activities they enjoy. * Challenge: Finally, issue a challenge to the students to continue practicing their rhyming skills outside of the classroom. This could be through writing rhymes, finding rhymes in books they read, or creating their own rhyming games. * Closing: Conclude the reflection by reinforcing the importance of rhyming and encouraging students to keep exploring and enjoying the world of words and sounds.