Rhyme Brainstormers

Play a rhyming game with your classmates. Challenge each other to see who can think of the most unusual words that rhyme.

• 1.

  Work in small groups to create sets of about 10 starter word cards. Write a word on each index card and draw a picture of the item or action with Crayola® Twistables Colored Pencils. At first, you’ll probably want to choose words that have several common rhyming words (such as cat or flip). Exchange sets of cards with another group so your game words will be a surprise!

• 2.

  To play, lay the word cards face down in the center of your play area. One player picks a starter card and reads the word.

• 3.

  Everyone writes that word at the top of their individual dry-erase boards with Crayola Dry-Erase Markers. Then each player draws or writes words that rhyme with the starter word. Think of as many as you can. Agree on a time limit or when to stop that round.

• 4.

  At the end of each round, players take turns saying a rhyming word on their lists. All other players who have that word erase it from their boards with a tissue. The player who brainstormed the most unique words wins that round. Keep score if you wish.

Benefits

• Children identify words that rhyme and realize that this literacy skill is engaging!
• Children prepare their own language game props.
• Children monitor each other in following rules, erasing duplicate words, and scorekeeping.

Adaptations

• Try this technique to brainstorm rhyming words before you write poetry, stories, or lyrics for music.
• Play this game with your spelling words. What common words are tough to rhyme (orange, for example)?
• Use new vocabulary words from any subject to make the game cards.
• Assessment: Students will be successful if they self-monitor their group to follow the directions of the rhyming challenge, identify actual rhyming words, and successfully tally individual scores.