Directions

ACTIVITY
Write everyone’s name on a separate line on a sheet of chart paper, including teachers. Bring children together and invite them to read the names.

Ask children to think of a word that rhymes with their name like “Sandy dandy” or “John gone.” Remind them that it doesn’t have to be a “real” word but can be their own special word that rhymes with their name like “Michael bikeal.” Once the list is complete, review the chart to familiarize everyone with all of the rhymes. They can even clap along as they recite each rhyming set.

Now teach the group the following song:
Rhyming Name Hello Song (to the tune of “Happy Birthday”)
Let’s greet our friend
Let’s greet our friend
Her name is [name and rhyming word]
Let’s greet our friend.

Sing the song until everyone has been greeted.

Write the lyrics to the song on chart paper using separate colored markers to highlight each child’s name and rhyming word. Post the song chart so children can follow along when singing the hello.

Remember: If a child has difficulty thinking of a rhyming word, invite others to offer ideas. Let the child determine which rhyming word he wants to use in combination with his name.

Lesson Extensions

Take-Home Activity
Family Name Rhymes. Ask each family to write down the names of their family members, including pets. Suggest they ask their child to think of a real or pretend word that rhymes with each name. Parents can offer assistance if needed. Bring the group together to share their family rhymes.

Curriculum Connection: Art
Self-Portraits. Provide children with drawing materials and unbreakable mirrors so they can create self-portraits. Give them sentence strip paper on which to write their names and rhyming words. Next, attach the names and rhymes below their portraits. Then, create a wall display to exhibit their work.

Books:
The Jazz Fly
by Mathew Gollub
(Tortuga Press, 2000; $18)

Opera Cat
by Tess Weaver
(Houghton Mifflin, 2002; $15)

Tanka Tanka Skunk
by Steve Webb
(Scholastic, 2004; $16)