What time is it? Rhyme o’clock!

Wait… that’s not right. It’s rhyme time! 

Why Rhyming Contributes to Literacy Development

Rhyming is an early phonological awareness skill that challenges students to distinguish between parts of speech. In other words, they start to hear the sounds of language. Rhymes help students sharpen their listening skills by breaking down words into syllables and identifying specific sounds within those syllables. 

How to Use this Rhyming Words Exercise

This rhyming printable can be used for independent practice or done in pairs. It can also be used in a reading center as a station activity.

This rhyming words worksheet has 2 sections. In the first, the students will read 13 sets of 3 words each. They will then decide if all 3 words rhyme and circle either “Yes” or “No”. In the second section, your students will get 12 pairs of rhyming words and write in a third word of their choice to complete the trio. 

An answer key is provided for the first section, but answers will vary for the second one. 

How to Take this Activity Further or Bring Others up to Speed

Got students who need a little more help, or are blasting through their rhyming words?

Students who are flying through the rhyming words section can be challenged to add a fourth word to the rhyming sets, or even five. You can even ask them to fill in as many as they can! (We also include a scoot activity below using this idea.)

Students who are struggling to identify rhyming words would likely benefit from being in a small group with the teacher. You can alter the bottom section of the sheet to include a word bank for students to choose from. Alternatively, you can omit one word from each question on the top section to narrow their focus. 

Alternative Uses for this Resource

Worksheets don’t have to be a one-and-done experience or even a solo mission! Check out these variations that get your students working together to expand their understanding. 

Rhyming Words Brain Buster

In this activity, you’ll use the second page of the worksheet only. As a small group or full class, challenge your students to think of as many rhyming words as they can per rhyming pair. Say each rhyme set out loud, one at a time. Then, give the students 30 seconds (you keep time) to think of as many words that rhyme as they can for that set. When the time is up, you can call on students to give you some examples of words they came up with, and even let them compare their answers to see if there are any matching words amongst classmates.

Team Scoot Rhyming Challenge

Again, this activity will focus on just the second page of the resource. Pair up students, or create small groups of 3 or 4. Place a worksheet at each table (or cluster desks in islands of 3 or 4). Each team gets 1 worksheet and 1 minute to come up with as many rhyming words as they can per line, one line at a time. Students line up at their table, and when you say “Go” they take turns (again only working on 1 set at a time) until you say “Stop.” Then, they will move on to the next cluster of rhyming words, and so on, each getting their own chance to think of words to fill in on the line. The group with the most words at the end of the game wins! If you want to make it a little easier for students, print our Blend and Digraph Cards as a list for each table to use as a reference. 

Exit Activity

Get out your scissors (or use our Editable Exit Tickets) to create a quick assessment of how each of your students is feeling about the day’s rhyming words lesson. You can use either the first or second sections to cut each row into strips. Then, hand each student one question they’ll answer on their own to determine how comfortable they are with the content. 

Before You Download

Use the drop-down menu to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version. An answer key is included in the download.

This resource was created by Kelli Goffredi, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Looking for more rhyming activities? Your students are going to love these:

[resource:4688905]   [resource:4687499]   [resource:4640988]