Rhyming blockbusters

This is done through asking learners to identify words that rhyme, a challenging exercise for low levels, especially if the words are homophones (same sounds but different spelling). There is also a blank grid so you can adapt the game to your own learning aims.

The activity is based on the 'Blockbusters' game, where learners compete in teams to win squares in a grid. Download the grid below.

Before the class, prepare enough photocopies of worksheet A for each learner to have a copy and if you have an overhead projector, copy the grid onto a transparency. If not, you will need to copy it onto the board.

Procedure

• Write the word 'right' up on the board and elicit as many words that rhyme with this as possible. Highlight words that are homophones of 'right'.
• Put the learners into two groups. Hand out the grids and display on your board if possible.
• Tell the learners that they need to find words that rhyme with the words on the grid. Give them 5 minutes to prepare this. They will not be able to prepare a word for each on the grid in this time - this is intentional. This will encourage them to 'think on their feet' as the game progresses.
• Explain the rules:
  
  Rules: 
  • Learner groups take turns to choose a word on the grid - in any position - and tell the class a word that rhymes with this. You decide if their word is acceptable as a rhyme. If they are successful they win the square. Shade it in on the board if you have one.
  • If they are wrong the square remains available.
  • One group must get from one side of the grid to the other, the other group from the top to the bottom, by winning squares and so making lines.
  • Groups can block each other by winning squares also. The middle square (the) is more difficult and introduces the schwa sound. Groups must suggest a word that has the sound, but it can be more than one syllable, e.g. table.
• It might be useful to write up the words that rhyme with those of the grid to review after the game, especially if there are interesting spellings.