Clapping Rhyme

Truthfulness Clapping Rhyme

Preparation: Have someone ready to help you demonstrate it to the children first.
Each clapping rhyme on this website uses the same set of easily learned actions.

1. Teach the actions

First say this together: 'Sides, clap, right, left, sides, clap, both.'

Next, the children sit or stand in pairs, facing each other and do the actions while saying those words together. Repeat them until everyone has learned them.

Sides They slap both hands on their thighs

Clap own hands together once,
Right, Left Slap their partners right hand, then left hand for the third and fourth words.
Sides Slap thighs again,
Clap own hands together,
Both hands slap their partner's, for the last word of each line.

2. Now teach the poem (without actions)

Ask questions about the meaning of the poem, line by line:

One lie from my lips did pop
Then I found the lies won’t stop
Now I only speak what’s true
But my friends don't think I do

Say the rhyme through together at least 6 times, keeping a strong rhythm for each syllable.
Practise until the students can say it without the words.

3. Put the actions to the rhyme (one set of actions fits each line)

One lie from my lips did pop
Sides clap right left sides clap both

Then I found the lies won’t stop
Sides clap right left sides clap both

Now I on/ly speak what’s true
Sides clap right/left sides clap both

But my friends don't think I do
Sides clap right left sides clap both

Demonstrate first with the partner you have practised with.
Have the children sit or stand sideways to the words so that they can refer to them if they forget.
Students have 3-5 minutes to practise together, memorising the poem.
Volunteers demonstrate to the class, without looking at the words, for a small prize.

Tell the Truth Clapping Rhyme: Print out for the students to read.

One lie from my

lips did pop

Soon I found the

lies won’t stop

Now I only

speak what’s true

But my friends don't

think I do