Read a classic nursery rhyme aloud to the class. Once the children are familiar with the original version, announce that you will be introducing small changes to the text. Substitute the real word at the end of a line with a word that rhymes with it. Retain the middle and end sounds of the word while changing the beginning sound. For example, read "Three blind rice, three blind rice, see how they sun, see how they sun." Pause long enough for the children to point out your silly changes and commend them for spotting the mistakes.
Teach the children the words to a classic rhyming song, such as "Five green and speckled frogs." Once they have mastered the song, distribute simple musical instruments such as bells, triangles and rhythm sticks. Instruct the children to strike their instruments whenever they arrive at a rhyming word. Sing the song again using the musical instruments for emphasis and praise the children for properly emphasizing the rhyming words.
Prepare simple but appealing file folder activities. Select four rhyming pairs, such as dog/frog, cat/bat, house/mouse and shoe/glue. Open a file folder. Draw four pictures in a column along the left edge of the left inside-cover. Each of the four pictures should represent one word of each rhyming pair. Along the right edge of the right inside-cover, draw pictures to represent the second word of each rhyming pair. Ensure that words belonging to the same pair do not appear directly opposite each other. Instruct the children to find the rhyming pairs and to connect word pairs with short pieces of string or yarn. Circulate four or five folders around the classroom, allowing children to work independently or in small groups.
Place small, familiar objects in a bag or box. Include such items as a candle, pencil, cup and block. Provide one distinct item for every child in the class. Jot down a list of the items you have included in the bag. Instruct the children to sit in a circle. Pass the bag to the child seated on your left and pronounce a word that rhymes with one item in the bag. For example, if you included a candle in the bag, pronounce a rhyming word such as "fandle." The child who is holding the bag should explore the contents of the bag and pull out the item that rhymes with "fandle." If he has difficulty finding an item that rhymes, ask the class to brainstorm and call out suggestions. When the child successfully completes his turn, pass the bag to the next child in the circle and pronounce a new word.
Write a rhyming poem together with the class. Prepare a large piece of chart paper, gather the children together on the floor and announce that the class needs a topic for a class poem. Brainstorm with the children and guide their thinking to select a meaningful topic. Ask for suggestions about how to begin the poem. As the class proceeds through the poem line by line, consider various options that the children propose, always noting aloud how changing the rhyming word at the end of any given line will change the meaning and direction of the poem. Once the class is satisfied with the poem, print it out neatly, distribute to the children and suggest that every child illustrates his personal copy.