Reading Lesson Plan · Grades K–2
Rhyme Time Lesson
A hands-on phonics lesson that teaches students how to identify, say, and write rhyming words through read-alouds, rhyme detective activities, and matching card games.
Subject
Reading / Phonics
Grades
K–2
Skill Focus
Rhyming, phonemic awareness
Lesson Length
30–45 minutes
Lesson Overview
Teaching Students to Identify Rhyming Words
Rhyming is a foundational phonemic awareness skill. This lesson uses a rhyming picture book read-aloud and hands-on card activities to help K–2 students recognize, say, and produce rhyming word pairs.
Learning Objectives
- Identify words that rhyme (same ending sound)
- Say and produce rhyming word pairs orally
- Write rhyming words independently
- Match rhyming picture cards during independent practice
Suggested Books for Read-Aloud
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
- The Three Bears Rhyme Book by Jane Yolen
- Those Can-Do Pigs by David M. McPhail
Lesson Procedure
Warm-Up
Ask students what rhyming words are. Tell them to touch their nose when they hear words that rhyme. Read these pairs aloud: (cat, hat) (see, be) (mix, cap) (do, at) (hip, dip). Assess understanding before moving on.
Read-Aloud
Do a picture walk before reading. Have students read the title, author, and illustrator. Read the book aloud and encourage students to join in on predictable phrases. Pause at the end of rhyming stanzas and let students predict which rhyming word comes next.
Rhyme Detective Activity
Read the book a second time. Tell students they are “rhyme detectives” — touch your nose when you hear two or more words that rhyme. When students touch their nose, stop and have them identify the rhyming words. Write each pair on index cards and place them in a pocket chart.
Independent Practice
Students use rhyming picture cards to find matches. Each card has both a picture and word to support vocabulary development. Students can also write their own rhyming pairs on the back of index cards and store them in a plastic bag for review.
ELL Modification
Run the rhyming card activity as a teacher-led small group center with additional scaffolding. The picture + word format on the cards helps ELL students make the vocabulary connection before working with sounds.
Rhyme Time Quiz
Test your understanding of rhyming words.
Rhyme Time Quiz
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What are rhyming words?
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Which pair of words rhymes?
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Which word rhymes with 'cake'?
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In the word 'rhyme detective' activity, students touch their nose when they:
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Which of these does NOT rhyme with 'big'?