Year 1 English Poems and Rhymes: worked examples and questions with answers

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ot, like hot.

1. Say hot and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   hot → -ot
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   pot → -ot   dog → -og
3. Write the word that matches. pot ends with -ot, the same as hot.
   pot

Check. Say hot and pot out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ig, like pig.

1. Say pig and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   pig → -ig
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   big → -ig   cup → -up
3. Write the word that matches. big ends with -ig, the same as pig.
   big

Check. Say pig and big out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ed, like bed.

1. Say bed and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   bed → -ed
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   red → -ed   cat → -at
3. Write the word that matches. red ends with -ed, the same as bed.
   red

Check. Say bed and red out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -un, like sun.

1. Say sun and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   sun → -un
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   bun → -un   pen → -en
3. Write the word that matches. bun ends with -un, the same as sun.
   bun

Check. Say sun and bun out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ake, like cake.

1. Say cake and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   cake → -ake
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   lake → -ake   dog → -og
3. Write the word that matches. lake ends with -ake, the same as cake.
   lake

Check. Say cake and lake out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ox, like fox.

1. Say fox and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   fox → -ox
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   box → -ox   cup → -up   tea → -ea
3. Write the word that matches. box ends with -ox, the same as fox.
   box

Check. Say fox and box out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. The odd one out is the word that is different from the others.

Method. Two words rhyme when they end with the same sound. Find the two that match, and the one that does not.

1. Say each word and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   cup → -up   pup → -up   hat → -at
2. Find the two words that match. Two words that rhyme end with the same sound.
   cup and pup both end in -up
3. Find the one that is different. hat does not end with -up.
   hat is the odd one out

Check. Say cup and pup out loud. They sound the same at the end. ✓

Watch out. The odd one out has a different ending, even if it starts with the same letter.

Key words. The odd one out is the word that is different from the others.

Method. Two words rhyme when they end with the same sound. Find the two that match, and the one that does not.

1. Say each word and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   sock → -ock   rock → -ock   cow → -ow
2. Find the two words that match. Two words that rhyme end with the same sound.
   sock and rock both end in -ock
3. Find the one that is different. cow does not end with -ock.
   cow is the odd one out

Check. Say sock and rock out loud. They sound the same at the end. ✓

Watch out. The odd one out has a different ending, even if it starts with the same letter.

Method. Look at the end of each word on the list. Then find the word whose ending is different.

1. Look at top, mop and stop. They all end with -op.
   top, mop, stop → -op
2. Look at cup. Cup ends with -up, not -op.
   cup → -up
3. Write the answer.
   cup

Check. Say hop, top, mop and stop. They all end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Check the ending of each word, not the first letter.

Method. Look at the end of each word, then decide if the endings are the same.

1. Look at the end of cake. Cake ends in -ake.
   cake → -ake
2. Look at the end of cat. Cat ends in -at.
   cat → -at
3. Compare the endings. Rhyming words end with the same sound, and these do not.
   -ake and -at are different
4. Write the answer. Mia is not right.
   No. They do not rhyme.

Check. Say cake and cat out loud. They start the same, but they sound different at the end. ✓

Watch out. Starting with the same letters does not make two words rhyme.

Method. Say both words, then compare the ends.

1. Say bat and mat. Listen to the end of each word.
   bat, mat
2. Look at the endings. Both words end with -at.
   bat → -at   mat → -at
3. Compare the endings. The same ending means the same sound at the end.
   -at = -at
4. Write the answer.
   They both end with the same sound, -at.

Check. Say bat and mat together. They sound the same at the end. ✓

Watch out. You can say the rhyme as the same ending, -at, when you explain.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 1. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 1: Let’s go to the park today,
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is today
3. Write the word.
   today

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with today. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 3. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 3: We swing up high and see a bee,
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is bee
3. Write the word.
   bee

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with bee. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Find the rhyme word at the end of line 2 that sounds the same as the end of line 1.

1. Find the end word of line 1. The end word is today.
   today
2. Look at the end of line 2. The end word is play.
   play
3. Compare the endings. Today and play both end with -ay.
   today → -ay   play → -ay
4. Write the answer.
   play

Check. Say today and play out loud. They rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Look at the end of each word, not the start.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 4. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 4: We run back home for tea.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is tea
3. Write the word.
   tea

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with tea. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Count each row of words in the poem. Do not count the title.

1. Start at the top line. Each row of words is one line.
   line 1
2. Count down to the last line. Count each line once, even if its words repeat.
   1, 2, 3, 4
3. Write the number.
   4 lines

Check. Count them again from the bottom: 4 lines. ✓

Watch out. A repeated line is still a line, so count it too.

Method. Find the line with the words about the swing.

1. Read each line. Look for the words about the swing.
   Line 3: We swing up high and see a bee,
2. Find the line. Line 3 is the line with swing in it.
   swing = line 3
3. Write the answer.
   Line 3

Check. Read line 3 aloud. It tells us we swing up high. ✓

Watch out. Count the lines from the top to check the number.

Method. Look for the word that tells us who goes to the park.

1. Read the poem. Look for the word that tells who is going.
   Let’s go; We run and jump
2. Find the word. Let’s means let us, so the group is we.
   we
3. Write the answer.
   We

Check. Read line 2 aloud. We run and jump and play. ✓

Watch out. The word we is for the people in the poem, including the reader.

Method. Read line 3, then find the animal in it.

1. Read line 3. The line tells us what we see.
   We swing up high and see a bee,
2. Find the animal. The word bee is the animal we see.
   bee
3. Write the answer.
   bee

Check. Read line 3 again. We see a bee. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole line before you pick the word.

Method. Read line 3 and find the words about the swing.

1. Read line 3 aloud. Find the part that tells what we do on the swing.
   We swing up high and see a bee,
2. Pick out the words about the swing. Swing up high tells what we do on the swing.
   swing up high
3. Write the answer.
   swing up high

Check. Say line 3 with a grown-up and do the swinging action. ✓

Watch out. Pick the words that tell you what to do, not the words about the bee.

Method. Find the last word of line 3, then compare it with what Mia said.

1. Read line 3 to the end. The last word is the one before the comma.
   bee
2. Compare with what Mia said. Tree is not the last word of line 3.
   tree is not right
3. Write the answer.
   No. The last word of line 3 is bee.

Check. Say line 3 with the last word bee. ✓

Watch out. Check the end of the line, not a word you have seen somewhere else.

Method. Think about what happens when you say a poem again and again.

1. Think about saying the poem. When you say the poem again, you learn the words.
   say it again and again
2. Think about the rhyme words. Rhyme words sound good together, so they are fun to say.
   rhymes sound good
3. Give one reason. Saying it with someone makes it fun.
   Joining in helps you learn the words, and it is fun.

Check. Read the poem aloud once more, and join in with the last word of each line. ✓

Watch out. Give a reason, not just the word good.

Method. Read the first line and the last line, then decide what the poem is about.

1. Read the first line. It tells us where we go.
   Let’s go to the park today.
2. Read the last line. It tells us where we go next.
   We run back home for tea.
3. Compare with what Ruby said. The poem is about the park, not a shop.
   park, not shop
4. Write the answer.
   No. It is about a trip to the park.

Check. The word park is in line 1, and the word shop is not in the poem. ✓

Watch out. Check the words in the poem, not what you think it might be about.

Method. Count each row of words in the poem. Do not count the title.

1. Start at the top line. Each row of words is one line.
   line 1
2. Count down to the last line. Count each line once, even if its words repeat.
   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Write the number.
   6 lines

Check. Count them again from the bottom: 6 lines. ✓

Watch out. A repeated line is still a line, so count it too.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 1. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 1: Rain is falling on my hat.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is hat
3. Write the word.
   hat

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with hat. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 2. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 2: Pitter, patter, pat, pat, pat.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is pat
3. Write the word.
   pat

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with pat. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Read line 5, then find the line with the same words.

1. Read line 5. Line 5 is the fifth row of the poem.
   Rain is falling on my hat.
2. Compare it with the other lines. Line 1 has exactly the same words.
   line 1 = line 5
3. Write the answer.
   Line 1

Check. Read line 1 and line 5 side by side. They match. ✓

Watch out. Check every word, including the small ones.

Method. Read line 6, then find the line with the same words.

1. Read line 6. Line 6 is the last row of the poem.
   Pitter, patter, pat, pat, pat.
2. Compare it with the other lines. Line 2 has exactly the same words.
   line 2 = line 6
3. Write the answer.
   Line 2

Check. Read line 2 and line 6 side by side. They match. ✓

Watch out. The last line of the poem is a repeat of the line before line 5.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 4. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 4: Drip, drop, and off it goes.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is goes
3. Write the word.
   goes

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with goes. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Find the two lines that rhyme in the second pair.

1. Look at the end words of lines 3 and 4. These two lines are the second pair.
   nose, goes
2. Check that they rhyme. Both end with -oes.
   nose → -oes   goes → -oes
3. Write the answer.
   Lines 3 and 4

Check. Say nose and goes out loud. They rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Count the lines from the top. Lines 3 and 4 come after lines 1 and 2.

Method. Read the end of each line until you find the word nose.

1. Read the end of each line. The end word tells you the line.
   hat, pat, nose, goes
2. Find nose. Nose is the end word of line 3.
   nose = line 3
3. Write the answer.
   Line 3

Check. Read line 3 aloud. It ends with nose. ✓

Watch out. Find the word in the line, then count the line number from the top.

Method. Count every line of the poem, including the lines that repeat.

1. Count from the top. Count each line once.
   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2. Compare with Chloe. Six is not four.
   6 is not 4
3. Write the answer.
   No. It has 6 lines.

Check. Count again from the bottom: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. ✓

Watch out. Lines 5 and 6 are still lines of the poem, so count them.

Method. Compare each of lines 5 and 6 with the lines before them.

1. Read line 5. Line 5 is the same as line 1.
   Rain is falling on my hat.
2. Compare line 6 with line 2. Line 6 has the same words as line 2.
   Pitter, patter, pat, pat, pat.
3. Write the answer.
   No. They repeat lines 1 and 2.

Check. Read lines 1 and 5 together. They are the same. ✓

Watch out. A new line has different words. A repeated line has the same words.

Method. Think about the pairs, and then about the repeat at the end.

1. Find the pairs that rhyme. Lines 1 and 2 rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme.
   hat and pat; nose and goes
2. Find the repeat. Lines 5 and 6 are the same as lines 1 and 2.
   lines 5 and 6 repeat lines 1 and 2
3. Put it in one sentence. Join the two ideas together.
   The lines rhyme in pairs, and the first two lines come again at the end.

Check. Read the poem again and check both parts of the pattern. ✓

Watch out. A pattern is more than one thing. Say both parts.

Method. Think about why repeated lines are useful.

1. Think about the poem. A repeated line comes again and again.
   Rain, pitter, patter
2. Think about a reader. A line we hear again is easier to remember and to join in with.
   easy to remember
3. Write one idea.
   Repeated lines help us remember the poem.

Check. Read the poem aloud and join in with the repeated lines. ✓

Watch out. Give one idea. A repeated line helps a reader because it comes back.

Key words. A line is one row of words in a poem.

Method. Count down the poem to line 1. Do not count the title.

1. Count the lines from the top. Each row of words is one line.
   1
2. Find line 1. Line 1 is the row with the number 1.
   Line 1
3. Read the whole line aloud. Say it with a grown-up to check you have the words right.
   One little hen sat in the sun.

Check. Say line 1 again and check every word with the poem. ✓

Watch out. Do not count the title as a line. Start counting from the first row of words.

Method. Read the line with the gap. Then choose the word that finishes it and rhymes with its partner line.

1. Read the line with the gap. The gap is where the last word goes.
   One little hen sat in the ___.
2. Look at the partner line. Its end word is run, so the gap word must rhyme with it.
   partner end word: run
3. Put the word in the gap and read the line. Check that it makes sense.
   One little hen sat in the sun.

Check. Read the whole poem line again. It rhymes with run. ✓

Watch out. The word must fit the meaning of the line as well as the rhyme.

Method. Read the line with the gap. Then choose the word that finishes it and rhymes with its partner line.

1. Read the line with the gap. The gap is where the last word goes.
   Two little chicks began to ___.
2. Look at the partner line. Its end word is sun, so the gap word must rhyme with it.
   partner end word: sun
3. Put the word in the gap and read the line. Check that it makes sense.
   Two little chicks began to run.

Check. Read the whole poem line again. It rhymes with sun. ✓

Watch out. The word must fit the meaning of the line as well as the rhyme.

Method. Read the line with the gap. Then choose the word that finishes it and rhymes with its partner line.

1. Read the line with the gap. The gap is where the last word goes.
   Three little chicks sat on a ___.
2. Look at the partner line. Its end word is frog, so the gap word must rhyme with it.
   partner end word: frog
3. Put the word in the gap and read the line. Check that it makes sense.
   Three little chicks sat on a log.

Check. Read the whole poem line again. It rhymes with frog. ✓

Watch out. The word must fit the meaning of the line as well as the rhyme.

Method. Read the line with the gap. Then choose the word that finishes it and rhymes with its partner line.

1. Read the line with the gap. The gap is where the last word goes.
   Four little chicks met a ___.
2. Look at the partner line. Its end word is log, so the gap word must rhyme with it.
   partner end word: log
3. Put the word in the gap and read the line. Check that it makes sense.
   Four little chicks met a frog.

Check. Read the whole poem line again. It rhymes with log. ✓

Watch out. The word must fit the meaning of the line as well as the rhyme.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 5. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 5: Five little chicks are tucked in tight.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is tight
3. Write the word.
   tight

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with tight. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Look for the number word four, then find the line it is in.

1. Read each line. Look for the number words.
   One, Two, Three, Four, Five
2. Find the line with Four. Four is at the start of line 4.
   Four little chicks met a frog.
3. Write the answer.
   Four little chicks met a frog.

Check. Count down to line 4 to check: 1, 2, 3, 4. ✓

Watch out. Look at the first word of each line to find the number.

Method. Find each line on the list, then write the letters in the order of the poem.

1. Find line c. One little hen sat in the sun is line 1.
   c = line 1
2. Find line b. Three little chicks sat on a log is line 3.
   b = line 3
3. Find line a. Mum hen hums, and they sleep all night is line 6.
   a = line 6
4. Write the letters in order. Put them in the order of the line numbers: 1, 3 and 6.
   c, b, a

Check. Read the lines in the order c, b, a. They go from the start of the poem to the end. ✓

Watch out. Check the line numbers, not the order the lines are written in on the list.

Method. Count the lines, then compare with what Mia said.

1. Count the lines. Count each row of words.
   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2. Compare with Mia. Five is not six.
   6 is not 5
3. Write the answer.
   No. It has 6 lines.

Check. The lines make 3 pairs that rhyme: sun and run, log and frog, tight and night. ✓

Watch out. Count the lines carefully. Each pair of lines rhymes.

Method. Think about how the rhyme sounds when you say the lines.

1. Listen to the first pair. Lines 1 and 2 end with the same sound.
   sun, run
2. Think about remembering. A sound we know helps us remember what comes next.
   run goes with sun
3. Write the answer.
   Rhyming lines sound alike, so the sound helps us remember them in pairs.

Check. Say lines 1 and 2 aloud. The rhyme helps you remember them together. ✓

Watch out. Give a reason about the sound, not only that the poem is short.

Method. Think about how many times a poem has to be said to be learned.

1. Think about how many times. You remember a poem by saying it again and again.
   many times
2. Think about the lines. Learning two lines at a time helps you remember them.
   two lines at a time
3. Write the answer.
   No. Say it many times and learn it in small parts.

Check. Say two lines, then say them again with the next two. ✓

Watch out. Learning a poem takes time. Say it again tomorrow too.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say day and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   day → -ay
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -ay.
   keep -ay
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   play

Check. Say day and play out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: play, say, way or stay. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with day.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say sun and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   sun → -un
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -un.
   keep -un
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   run

Check. Say sun and run out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: run, bun or fun. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with sun.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say ground and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   ground → -ound
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -ound.
   keep -ound
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   round

Check. Say ground and round out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: round, sound, found or around. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with ground.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say tree and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   tree → -ee
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -ee.
   keep -ee
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   bee

Check. Say tree and bee out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: bee, see, me or free. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with tree.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say hat and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   hat → -at
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -at.
   keep -at
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   cat

Check. Say hat and cat out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: cat, mat, sat, bat or rat. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with hat.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -own, like town.

1. Say town and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   town → -own
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   down → -own   tree → -ee   cup → -up
3. Write the word that matches. down ends with -own, the same as town.
   down

Check. Say town and down out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Method. Keep the -un ending of run, then find the word that fits the line.

1. Look at the rhyme word. Run ends with -un.
   run → -un
2. Find a word that ends the same. Fun ends with -un too.
   fun → -un
3. Write the word in the line. Read the line to check it makes sense.
   lots of fun.
4. Check the rhyme. Run and fun sound the same at the end.
   run and fun rhyme

Check. Read the whole poem line aloud. run and fun rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole line to check the meaning, not only the sound.

Method. Pick a rhyme word, then find another word that ends the same.

1. Pick a rhyme word. Tree ends with -ee.
   tree → -ee
2. Find another word that ends with -ee. Tea sounds the same at the end.
   tea → -ee
3. Write a line with the word at the end. Read the line aloud to check it makes sense.
   We sit by the tree and drink our tea.

Check. Say the line aloud. The end words, tree and tea, rhyme. Also correct: any line ending in bee, see, me or free. ✓

Watch out. Check that the end word sounds the same. Spelling can look different, like tea and tree.

Method. Write the first line with sky at the end, then find a word that rhymes with sky.

1. Start with sky. Sky is the end word of the first line.
   sky
2. Find a word that rhymes with sky. By ends with the same sound as sky.
   sky → -y   by → -y
3. Write the two lines. Read them aloud to check the rhyme.
   The leaves float high in the sky.
   Red and gold, they flutter by.

Check. Say the two lines aloud. sky and by rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Any two lines whose end words rhyme are correct.

Method. Look at the end of each word, then decide if they rhyme.

1. Look at tap. Tap ends in -ap.
   tap → -ap
2. Look at mop. Mop ends in -op.
   mop → -op
3. Compare the endings. The endings are different, so the words do not rhyme.
   -ap and -op are different
4. Write the answer.
   No. Tap and mop do not rhyme.

Check. Say tap and mop out loud. They sound different at the end. ✓

Watch out. Two words with the same first letter do not always rhyme.

Method. Keep the -ell ending, change the first letter, and explain what you did.

1. Say bell and listen to its ending. The ending is -ell.
   bell → -ell
2. Keep the ending the same. The new word must end with -ell too.
   keep -ell
3. Change the first letter. A new first letter makes a new word with the same end.
   tell, well, sell
4. Write the explanation.
   Keep the -ell ending, and change the first letter to make tell, well or sell.

Check. Say tell, well and sell. They all end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Say what you kept the same, and what you changed.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -un, like fun.

1. Say fun and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   fun → -un
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   sun → -un   cup → -up   tree → -ee
3. Write the word that matches. sun ends with -un, the same as fun.
   sun

Check. Say fun and sun out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Method. Count each row of words in the poem. Do not count the title.

1. Start at the top line. Each row of words is one line.
   line 1
2. Count down to the last line. Count each line once, even if its words repeat.
   1, 2, 3, 4
3. Write the number.
   4 lines

Check. Count them again from the bottom: 4 lines. ✓

Watch out. A repeated line is still a line, so count it too.

Method. Read each pair of lines and find the lines that come again.

1. Read line 1. Look for its words later in the poem.
   Rain is falling on my hat.
2. Find the same words at the end. Lines 5 and 6 have the same words as lines 1 and 2.
   lines 5 and 6 = lines 1 and 2
3. Write the answer.
   Lines 1 and 2

Check. Read lines 5 and 6 and check them against lines 1 and 2. ✓

Watch out. Check every word of each line before you say it repeats.

Method. The last word of a line is the word at its very end, just before the full stop or comma.

1. Find line 3. Count down the poem to that line.
   Line 3: Three little chicks sat on a log.
2. Look at the very end of the line. The last word is the one before the full stop or comma.
   the end word is log
3. Write the word.
   log

Check. Say the whole line aloud. It ends with log. ✓

Watch out. Do not write the full stop or the comma. Write only the word.

Method. Think of a word that ends with the same sound as mug, then keep the -ug ending.

1. Say mug and listen to its ending. The ending is -ug.
   mug → -ug
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -ug.
   keep -ug
3. Change the first letter and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   bug

Check. Say bug and mug out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: hug, rug or jug. ✓

Watch out. Keep the -ug ending. Changing it stops the word rhyming with mug.

Method. Find line 4, then the line that comes after it.

1. Find the line Four little chicks met a frog. It is line 4.
   line 4
2. Look at line 5. Line 5 comes next.
   Five little chicks are tucked in tight.
3. Write the answer.
   Five little chicks are tucked in tight.

Check. Read line 4 and then line 5 aloud. The poem goes on counting. ✓

Watch out. The line after line 4 is line 5, not line 3.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say cake and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   cake → -ake
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -ake.
   keep -ake
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   lake

Check. Say cake and lake out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: lake, make, bake or take. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with cake.

Method. Find line 1 of Autumn Leaves, then its last word.

1. Read line 1. Line 1 is the first row of the poem.
   Red and gold, the leaves fall down.
2. Find the last word. The last word is the one before the full stop.
   down
3. Compare with Tom. Fall is not the last word of line 1.
   fall is not right
4. Write the answer.
   No. The last word of line 1 is down.

Check. Read line 1 aloud and stop at the full stop. ✓

Watch out. Check the end of the line, not a word in the middle.

Method. Think about what joining in means, and one easy way to do it.

1. Think about joining in. Joining in is saying the words with a grown-up.
   say the words with a grown-up
2. Think of an easy way. Saying the rhyme words, or doing the actions, is a way to join in.
   rhyme words, actions
3. Write one way.
   Say the rhyme words with a grown-up, or do the actions as you read.

Check. Try it with the grown-up: say the last word of each line. ✓

Watch out. Any one way is correct, such as doing an action.

Method. Listen to the end of each word, then compare the endings.

1. Say sun and run. Listen to the end of each word.
   sun, run
2. Look at the endings. Both words end with -un.
   sun → -un   run → -un
3. Write the explanation.
   They both end with the same sound, -un, so they rhyme.

Check. Say sun and run out loud. They rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Explain using the ending, not the first letter.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -all, like wall.

1. Say wall and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   wall → -all
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   small → -all   sun → -un
3. Write the word that matches. small ends with -all, the same as wall.
   small

Check. Say wall and small out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Method. Count down the poem to the line that ends with tea.

1. Read each line. Look for the line that ends with tea.
   Line 4: We run back home for tea.
2. Count to that line. Count the lines from the top.
   1, 2, 3, 4
3. Write the answer.
   Line 4

Check. Read line 4 aloud. It ends with tea. ✓

Watch out. Count from the top of the poem, not from the title.

Method. Count each row of words in the poem. Do not count the title.

1. Start at the top line. Each row of words is one line.
   line 1
2. Count down to the last line. Count each line once, even if its words repeat.
   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3. Write the number.
   6 lines

Check. Count them again from the bottom: 6 lines. ✓

Watch out. A repeated line is still a line, so count it too.

Key words. A rhyme is two words that end with the same sound.

Method. Rhyming words end with the same sound. Find the word that ends in -ay, like play.

1. Say play and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   play → -ay
2. Check the ending of each choice. Look at the end of each word, not the start.
   say → -ay   cup → -up   ten → -en
3. Write the word that matches. say ends with -ay, the same as play.
   say

Check. Say play and say out loud. They end with the same sound. ✓

Watch out. Do not pick a word because it starts with the same letter. Look at the end.

Key words. The odd one out is the word that is different from the others.

Method. Two words rhyme when they end with the same sound. Find the two that match, and the one that does not.

1. Say each word and listen to its ending. Rhyming words end with the same sound.
   hot → -ot   pot → -ot   cup → -up
2. Find the two words that match. Two words that rhyme end with the same sound.
   hot and pot both end in -ot
3. Find the one that is different. cup does not end with -ot.
   cup is the odd one out

Check. Say hot and pot out loud. They sound the same at the end. ✓

Watch out. The odd one out has a different ending, even if it starts with the same letter.

Method. Find line 1, then the line that comes after it.

1. Find line 1. It is the first line of the poem.
   One little hen sat in the sun.
2. Look at line 2. Line 2 comes next.
   Two little chicks began to run.
3. Write the answer.
   Two little chicks began to run.

Check. Read line 1 and then line 2 aloud. ✓

Watch out. Read the next line, not the one you are already on.

Method. Find the end word of line 1 and the end word of line 2.

1. Find line 1. Line 1 ends with hat.
   hat
2. Find line 2. Line 2 ends with pat.
   pat
3. Write both words. Both are the rhyme words.
   hat and pat

Check. Say hat and pat out loud. They rhyme. ✓

Watch out. Give the end word of each line, not the whole line.

Key words. To make a new rhyme means to find another word that ends with the same sound.

Method. To make a new rhyme, keep the ending the same and change the start of the word.

1. Say frog and listen to its ending. The ending is the part that sounds the same as the rhyme.
   frog → -og
2. Keep the ending the same. A rhyme word must end with -og.
   keep -og
3. Change the start and write a new word. A new first letter makes a new word with the same ending.
   dog

Check. Say frog and dog out loud. They end with the same sound. Also correct: dog, log or fog. ✓

Watch out. Change only the start of the word. Changing the end stops the word from rhyming with frog.

Method. Think about how many poems in this chapter repeat their lines.

1. Think about Rain. Rain repeats its first two lines.
   lines 5 and 6 repeat lines 1 and 2
2. Think about the other poems. My Cat, Park Day, Counting Chicks and Autumn Leaves do not repeat lines.
   no repeats
3. Write the answer.
   No. Some poems repeat lines, but not all of them do.

Check. Count the poems that repeat lines: only Rain. ✓

Watch out. Do not decide from one poem. Check each one.

Method. Find the end word of the rhyme, then write a new line that ends with a word that rhymes with it.

1. Pick a rhyme word. Run ends with -un.
   run → -un
2. Find another word that ends with -un. Fun sounds the same at the end.
   fun → -un
3. Write the new line. Read it aloud to check it makes sense.
   We like to run and have some fun.

Check. Say the line aloud. run and fun rhyme. Also correct: any line ending in -un, such as bun or sun. ✓

Watch out. Your line must make sense as well as end with a rhyme word.