State the Objective

Tell the children that they will make a rhyming tree and that they will recognize and produce words that rhyme with the word tree, such as the word bee.

Literacy Activities

Make a paper tree

• Make a tree by twisting the bottom half of a strip of brown paper to make a trunk and cutting strips of paper in the upper half and twisting them to be the branches (see below).
• Give the children picture cards (see below) to tape or pin on the tree.
• Make comments such as “We can see a bee on the tree” or “A bee and key are on the tree.”
• Ask the children if the picture cards rhyme with tree (e.g., “Does bee rhyme with tree?”).
  • If the word rhymes with tree, have the children pin it to the tree.
  • If the word does not rhyme with tree, do not pin it on the tree.

Find a P on the tree

• Let the children take turns taping or pinning a letter card (see below) on the tree.
• Point out letters that rhyme with tree, including P, D, V, G, T, and Z.
• Ask the children what letters they see on the tree.
• Make comments such as “Can you find three of the letter B?” and “He put a T on the tree” or “She took a P from the tree.”
• Ask the children if the letter cards rhyme with tree; shake your head yes or no with the children (e.g., Does P rhyme with tree?).