Rhythm Walks
1. Read the directions below about how to prepare and teach a rhythm walk.
2. Try out a rhythm walk with the Eensy Weensy Spider.
3. Use the paper provided to make your own rhythm walk for your students.
Use the words from Baa Baa Black Sheep.
Procedures:
Getting Ready
1. Choose a short poem or story
2. Analyze the text with the class to determine natural breaks and appropriate chunks
3. Write each “chunk” on a sentence strip or card stock
4. Place strips in order on the floor in a pathway around the classroom (each strip
only one step away from the others)
5. Student line up in single file at the start of the pathway.
6. TEACHER SHOULD MODEL THE WALK FIRST!
a. Demonstrate fluid movements (not choppy army-like movement).
b. Demonstrate accuracy (correct words), automaticity (quick word recall),
and prosody (conversation-like) in your model.
The Rhythm Walk
1. First student starts at the first strip and reads it aloud, takes a step to the next one
and reads it aloud. Continue walking and reading making their way through the
passage.
2. Each student begins when the student in front of them has completed three strips.
3. When a student completes the Rhythm Walk, they get back in line and repeat the
process.
4. Each student can circulate 3-10 times, depending on the length of the passage
(usually 4-25 strips).
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane