Teaching Rhyme and Rhythm in KS2 Made Easy
Rhyme and rhythm are at the heart of poetry. They give language its beat, make words memorable, and bring writing alive when performed aloud. Yet many teachers say that teaching rhyme in KS2 can be tricky — especially when children find it hard to spot patterns or keep a steady rhythm.
The good news? With a few simple activities, you can make rhyme and rhythm fun, accessible, and engaging for every child in your class. Here’s a collection of ideas you can try straight away.
What the Curriculum Says
The National Curriculum expects pupils to:
KS1 → Recite poems by heart, recognise simple rhymes, and join in with rhyming games.
KS2 → Explore different types of poetry, write their own using rhyme and rhythm, and perform with fluency and expression.
By revisiting rhyme and rhythm regularly, you’ll build the skills children need to both enjoy poetry and use it effectively in their own writing.
👉 In my Poetry Days in primary schools across the UK I work hard to get the children excited about writing and performing their own poems. I visit over 100 schools every year and I’d love to work with your children and teachers.
📅 You can book me for:
In-person Poetry Days across the UK
Online Poetry Workshops (affordable and flexible)
➡ Secure your date here: Poets in Schools – Ian Bland
1. Clap It Out
Choose a short poem or nursery rhyme and read it aloud as the class claps the beat. Try speeding up, slowing down, or whispering the words to explore how rhythm changes.
👉 Why it works: Children feel the beat physically, which makes rhythm easier to understand.
2. Rhyme Race
Write a starter word on the board (like cat). In teams, pupils list as many rhyming words as they can in one minute. For extra challenge, ask them to create a two-line rhyme with their words.
👉 Why it works: Turns rhyme into a quick-fire game and builds vocabulary.
3. Rhythm Poems
Give pupils a short chant or verse with a clear beat. Add percussion instruments (or body percussion like claps, stamps, clicks) to bring the rhythm alive.
👉 Why it works: Links poetry to music, showing children that rhythm is everywhere.
4. Rap Writing
Ask pupils to write short raps about school life, hobbies, or friendships. Encourage them to keep lines short and punchy, with clear end rhymes. Perform with a steady clap or stomp to hold the beat.
👉 Why it works: Connects rhyme and rhythm to modern culture, which pupils love.
👉 Related blog: Rap Poems KS2
5. Performance Poetry
Choose a poem with strong rhyme and rhythm (e.g. Gran Can You Rap? or Walking With My Iguana). Rehearse in groups, adding sound effects, actions, or varied voices.
👉 Why it works: Builds confidence, fluency, and expressive reading.
👉 Related blog: Performance Poetry KS2
Teacher Tips
Start simple → Focus on short rhyming couplets before moving to longer verses.
Model it → Perform poems yourself with exaggerated rhythm so children can copy.
Mix it up → Use chants, songs, or playground rhymes alongside written poetry.
Celebrate effort → The aim is fluency and fun, not perfection.
Conclusion
Teaching rhyme and rhythm in KS2 doesn’t have to be complicated. With clapping, games, raps, and performance, you can help every child feel the beat of poetry and enjoy the music of language.
If you’d like to see rhyme and rhythm come alive in your school, book a poetry day with me. My assemblies and workshops are designed to get children writing, performing, and having fun with poetry while building vital literacy skills.
