Clapping Rhyme

Power of Words Clapping Rhyme © Jenny Jenkins 2015 https://sites.google.com/site/valueslessons

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, line by line:

Words pop out and can't return

Here's the lesson we must learn;

Good words make me kind and strong,

Bad words make my life go wrong.

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

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

Words pop out and can't re/turn,

Sides clap right left sides clap/both

Here's the les/son we must learn;

Sides clap right/left sides clap both

Good words make me kind and strong,

Sides clap right left sides clap both

Bad words make my life go wrong.

Sides clap right left sides clap both

Teacher demonstrates first, with the partner you have practised with.

Have the students 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.

Watch your Words Clapping Rhyme. Print out for the students to learn.

Words pop out and

can't return.

Here's the lesson

we must learn:

Good words make me

kind and strong

Bad words make my

life go wrong