Finding rhyming patterns with The Crooked Man

In this kindergarten lesson, students will use the nursery rhyme "The Crooked Man" to recognize rhyming patterns, practice writing the letter "i", and discuss different kinds of animal homes.

A lesson plan for grade K English Language Arts and Mathematics

By Lisa Wright

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Mother Goose in use: Rhymes that teach

This collection of kindergarten lesson plans uses classic nursery rhymes to teach curriculum objectives in math, English language arts, science, and healthful living.

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• Learn more about alphabet, animals, language arts, nursery rhymes, rhyming, and science.

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Learning outcomes

• Students will be able to name and compare animal homes.
• Students will gain experience identifying rhyming patterns.
• Students will practice writing the letter “I”.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

40 minutes

Materials needed

• Recording of “The Crooked Man” from nursery rhyme CD, such as 100 Songs for Kids or text version from nursery rhyme book
• Nursery Rhyme Flip Chart or large chart paper with the nursery rhyme “The Crooked Man” written on it
• Chart paper
• A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman and Betty Fraser

Pre-activities

• If you’re not using a flip chart, write the nursery rhyme on chart paper for students to see.

Activities

1. Anticipatory set: What is the purpose of a home?
2. Play the recording of “The Crooked Man” or read the rhyme to the class.
3. Have the students recite the rhyme with you as they read from the chart.
4. Help them figure out the pattern in which the word at the end of the line rhymes. (The second and fourth lines rhyme, and the sixth and eighth lines rhyme.)
5. Ask students which words in the rhyme have the long “I” sound. Then ask what else rhymes with the –ile ending. Write the words on chart paper, leaving out the letter “i” in each word.
6. Have students come and write in the letter “i” for practice.
7. Ask students to name the home for the following animals: bird, bear, groundhog, dog, fish, bee. You may add other animals to the list. Present a pair of animals, and ask the students how the animals’ homes are similar, and how they are different.
8. Read the book A House is a House for Me to the class.
9. Conclude the lesson by asking the students the following questions:
   • What other rhyme talks about an unusual home? (”The Little Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe”)
   • What types of homes do people live in?
   • What are homes made of?

Assessment

Assess by students’ participation in the rhyming and “i”-writing activities: Did the students recognize the rhyming pattern? Did they write the letter correctly? Also assess by students’ participation in the animal homes discussion.