Year 1 · English · Literature
Rhyme and rhythm
Enjoying rhymes, songs and chants, hearing words that rhyme and clapping the beats (syllables) in words.
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These lessons were written around Australian Curriculum strands and matched to UK year groups by age (Year 1 is the year a child turns 6 in England). They are not mapped to the National Curriculum in England or the curricula of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, so check them against your own plans.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Enjoy saying rhymes, songs and chants together.
- Hear and choose words that rhyme.
- Clap the beats (syllables) in spoken words.
Success looks like
- I can tell if two words rhyme.
- I can think of a word that rhymes with 'cat'.
- I can clap the beats in my name and other words.
The big idea
Rhymes, songs and chants are one of the best ways to tune children's ears to the sounds in words. Hearing rhyme and beat helps children later when they read and spell.
Two words rhyme when their ending sounds are the same. 'Cat', 'hat', 'mat' and 'bat' all rhyme because they all end in 'at'. 'Cat' and 'cup' do not rhyme, even though they start the same way.
To check for a rhyme, say both words slowly and listen to the end. Does the end sound the same? Then they rhyme. Silly made-up words can rhyme too: 'cat, zat, wat'. Making nonsense rhymes is great practice.
Rhythm is the beat we can clap along to. Every word has one or more beats called syllables.
- One beat: dog, sun, cat.
- Two beats: rab-bit, ap-ple, tea-pot.
- Three beats: ba-na-na, el-e-phant, but-ter-fly.
A handy trick: put a hand flat under your chin and say the word. Each time your chin drops, that is one beat. Then clap while you say the word.
Worked examples
Do they rhyme?
Do 'dog' and 'log' rhyme?
- Say each word slowly: 'd-og', 'l-og'.
- Listen to the end of each word. Both end in 'og'.
- The endings sound the same, so they rhyme.
Answer: Yes, 'dog' and 'log' rhyme.
Making a rhyme
Think of words that rhyme with 'sun'.
- Keep the ending sound: 'un'.
- Change the first sound: /f/ + un = fun, /r/ + un = run, /b/ + un = bun.
- Check each word by saying it next to 'sun'.
Answer: fun, run and bun all rhyme with sun.
Clapping the beats
How many beats are in 'butterfly'?
- Say the word slowly and clap each part: but – ter – fly.
- Count the claps: 1, 2, 3.
- Check with a hand under your chin: the chin drops three times.
Answer: 'Butterfly' has 3 beats (syllables).
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
Which word rhymes with 'cat'?
hat — 'Cat' and 'hat' both end with 'at'.
Which word rhymes with 'bee'?
tree — 'Bee' and 'tree' both end with the 'ee' sound.
Which pair of words rhyme?
sun and fun — 'Sun' and 'fun' both end in 'un'.
How many beats (syllables) are in 'rabbit'?
2 — rab – bit: 2 beats.
Which word has just one beat?
dog — 'Dog' has one beat. 'Apple' has two and 'banana' has three.
How many beats (syllables) are in 'banana'? Type a number.
3 — ba – na – na: 3 beats.
How many beats are in 'elephant'? Type a number.
3 — el – e – phant: 3 beats.
Finish the rhyme with a word that starts with /p/: 'The big red hen sat in her ___.'
pen — 'Pen' starts with /p/ and rhymes with 'hen'.
Watch out for
- Thinking words rhyme because they start the same ('cat' and 'cup'). Rhyming is about the end of the word.
- Thinking words rhyme because they mean similar things ('cat' and 'dog'). Bring attention back to the sounds.
- Clapping each letter instead of each beat. Clap the word slowly as you say it, one clap per mouth movement.
Tips for parents
- Sing or chant a rhyme every day, for example in the bath or the car. Repetition is the point.
- Pause before the rhyming word in a familiar rhyme and let your child fill it in.
- Clap the names of family members and pets. Children love counting the beats in their own name.
Go further
- Play 'odd one out': say three words (cat, hat, sun) and ask which one does not rhyme.
- Make up a silly rhyming chant together about your day.
- March or jump around the room, taking one step for each beat in a word.
About 20 minutes
You'll need
- A collection of nursery rhymes or simple songs your family knows
- Pairs of picture cards or small objects whose names rhyme (cat/hat, sock/clock)
- A drum, saucepan and spoon, or just hands for clapping
Key words
- rhyme
- Words rhyme when their ending sounds are the same, like 'cat' and 'hat'.
- rhythm
- The beat or pattern you can clap or tap along to in a song or poem.
- syllable
- A beat in a word. 'Dog' has one beat and 'rab-bit' has two.
- chant
- Words said together in a strong, steady beat.
Still tricky?
For parents
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Next steps (Year 2)