This is Lynn Handshy. Lynn teaches first grade at Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley, California. She has written about the major activities and projects of her classroom. We feature those projects here on Leslie's website.

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Jumping Rope with 1st Grade Rhymes By Lynn Handshy

The sun is shining more brightly and the air is getting warmer. Along with this climactic change, the end of the school year pace accelerates exponentially. This is an unequivocal truth known to all teachers. The children's pace is gathering speed too. Finding ways to use their boundless energy both physically and intellectually is necessary for survival. So, out come the jump ropes and an opportunity to focus their writing on the jumping rhymes. Here are examples of rhymes created by my 1st graders.

One, two, three, Look at me, I'm jumping over waves Out in the sea. How many waves can I jump? 1, 2, 3, 4...	One, two, the sky is blue Three, four, it rains no more How many days 'til it rains again? 1, 2, 3, 4...	I love apples, red and green Tasty fruit is fit for a queen. Let us pick some from the tree You can eat them along with me. How many apples can we eat? 1, 2, 3, 4...

All it takes to get them started are several examples.
A good book for suggestions is Anna Banana: 101 Jump-Rope Rhymes by Joanna Cole
I have my kids work in pairs.

Have fun. . . Until next month, Lynn

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