Clapping Rhyme

Patience Clapping Rhyme

Have someone ready to help you demonstrate it to the children first.

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, 2 lines at a time.

I am patient; I can wait

I don’t care if you are late

Don't feel impatient, don't get mad

Cos it makes you feel real bad.

Say the rhyme through together at least 6 times, keeping a strong rhythm for each syllable.

Practice until the children can say it without the words.

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

I am pa /tient; I can wait

Sides clap right/left sides clap both

I don’t care if you are late.

Sides clap right left sides clap both

Don't feel impa/tient, don't get mad

Sides clap right left sides clap both

Cos it makes you feel real bad.

Sides clap right left ides 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.

Practice Patience Clapping Rhyme: Print out for students to read.

I am patient,

I can wait

I don’t care if

you are late

Don't feel impatient,

Don't get mad

Cos it makes you

Feel real bad.