Values Lessons - Clapping Rhyme

Forgive Fast Clapping Rhyme

Preparation: Have someone ready to help you demonstrate it to the children.

Each clapping rhyme on this website uses the same set of easily learned actions.

1. Teach the actions

First say this together: 'Sides, clap, right, left, sides, clap, both.'

Next, the children sit or stand in pairs, facing each other and do the actions while saying those words together. Repeat them until everyone has learned them.

Sides They slap both hands on their thighs

Clap own hands together once,

Right, Left Slap their partners right hand, then left hand for the third and fourth words.

Sides Slap thighs again,

Clap own hands together,

Both hands slap their partner's, for the last word of each line.

2. Now teach the poem (without actions)

Ask questions about the meaning of the poem, line by line:

When you feel you've been let down

or* Someone makes you feel a clown

Don't get even, don't get mad

For*give them fast and you'll be glad.

* Slap sides on 'Some' and 'give', slip the 'or' and 'for' in quickly first with no action for it.

Say the rhyme through together at least 6 times, keeping a strong rhythm for each syllable, until the children can say it without the words.

3. Put the actions to the rhyme (one set of actions fits each line)

When you feel you've been let down

Sides clap right left sides clap both

Or-some/one makes you feel a clown

--- Sides/clap right left sides clap both

Don't get ev/en, don't get mad

Sides clap right/left sides clap both

Forgive them fast and you'll be glad.

--- Sides clap right left sides clap both

Demonstrate first with the partner you have practised with.

Have the children sit or stand sideways to the words so that they can refer to them if they forget.

Students have 3-5 minutes to practise together, memorising the poem.

Volunteers demonstrate to the class, without looking at the words, for a small prize.

Forgive Fast Clapping Rhyme (Print out for class to learn)

When you feel you've

been let down

or someone makes you

feel a clown

Don't get even

Don't get mad

Forgive them fast and

You'll be glad.