Systematic & Engaging Early Literacy
Swirl and Twirl
Goal: Students will generate familiar words with the –irl word ending (e.g., swirl, curl).
Target Words: curl, swirl, twirl, whirl, girl
Materials and Preparation:
 Curled ribbon1 for each student
Introduce:
Show the students a piece of curled ribbon and say, “Do you see my curl? I can swirl my curl. I can twirl my
curl. Do you want to twirl a curl of your own? Today you can! As we play with our curl, listen for words you hear
that rhyme with curl.”
Playful Practice:
Say:
Suggested Actions:
Look at my curl.
Show students your curled ribbon.
I can twirl my curl.
Twirl your curled ribbon. Twirl your ribbon in a
circular motion.
I can swirl my curl.
Swirl ribbon in a figure eight motion.
I can whirl my curl.
Spin around in a circle with your ribbon.
Now you have a curl.
Give each student their own curl.
Everyone twirl your curl.
Have the students twirl their ribbons together.
Everyone swirl your curl.
Have the students swirl their ribbons together.
Everyone whirl your curl.
Have the students whirl their ribbons together.
Now give your curl to a girl.
Have students clean up by selecting one girl to
collect the ribbon curls.
Review the Playful Experience:
 Have students think of all the words they used in the activity that rhyme with curl. Write down all the words
and write a short poem to read together. For example, “I have a curl. I can twirl my curl. I can swirl my curl.
I can whirl my curl.”
1
BYU David O. McKay School of Education
© 2012 Project SEEL, McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University
Systematic & Engaging Early Literacy
Swirl and Twirl
SEEL AT HOME
Playing to Learn
Goal: Students will generate familiar words with the –irl word ending
(e.g., swirl, curl).
You will need:
Items in the folder: 2 curled ribbons
From home: fun music
Activity: Swirl and Twirl
1. Give your child a curled ribbon. Ask him or her what actions you could do with the ribbon that rhymes with
curl (e.g., swirl, twirl, whirl).
2. Turn on fun music and swirl, twirl, and whirl your curls together (e.g., twirl = wave ribbon in a circular
motion, swirl = wave ribbon in a figure 8, whirl = spin around in a circle with ribbon).
3. As you play with your ribbon, try to use words and phrases with words that rhyme with –irl (e.g.; Swirl your
curl. Twirl your curl. Whirl your curl. A girl can swirl and twirl.).
Remember to be playful and have fun!
The activity can be repeated several times.
© 2012 Project SEEL, McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University
SEEL AT HOME
Playing to Learn
Goal: Students will generate familiar words with the –irl word ending
(e.g., swirl, curl).
You will need:
Items in the folder: 2 curled ribbons
From home: fun music
Activity: Swirl and Twirl
1. Give your child a curled ribbon. Ask him or her what actions you could do with the ribbon that rhymes with
curl (e.g., swirl, twirl, whirl).
2. Turn on fun music and swirl, twirl, and whirl your curls together (e.g., twirl = wave ribbon in a circular
motion, swirl = wave ribbon in a figure 8, whirl = spin around in a circle with ribbon).
3. As you play with your ribbon, try to use words and phrases with words that rhyme with –irl (e.g.; Swirl your
curl. Twirl your curl. Whirl your curl. A girl can swirl and twirl.).
Remember to be playful and have fun!
The activity can be repeated several times.
© 2012 Project SEEL, McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University
2
BYU David O. McKay School of Education
© 2012 Project SEEL, McKay School of Education, Brigham Young University