Totter Rhyme Teacher Guide
Totter Rhyme Time Teacher Guide
A Kindergarten - 1st Grade lesson on synonyms and rhyming words.
Duration
45 Minutes
Focus
Synonyms & Rhymes
Key Words
Seesaw, Teeter-Totter
Learning Objectives
- Students will identify that different words (synonyms) can name the same object.
- Students will identify words that rhyme with "otter" and "totter."
- Students will distinguish between words that rhyme and words that have the same meaning.
Materials Needed
Totter Rhyme Slides
Rhyme Time Worksheet
Scissors & Glue
The Teeter-Totter Song! (YouTube)
Lesson Procedure
1
Warm-up: Secret Names (5 min)
Start a conversation about things that have more than one name.
"Does anyone know another name for a rug? How about a bunny?"
Goal: Introduce the concept that two different words can mean the same thing (synonyms).
2
Video Viewing & Discovery (5 min)
Play "The Teeter-Totter Song!"
- Watch: Pause the video at 1:06.
- Ask: "What other name did the narrator just give for the teeter-totter?" (Answer: Seesaw).
3
Synonyms vs. Rhymes (10 min)
Use the "Whiteboard" slide or a physical board.
1. Write Teeter-Totter and Seesaw. Explain: "These mean the same thing. They are synonyms."
2. Write Peter Otter. Ask: "Does 'Peter Otter' mean the same thing as a teeter-totter? No! But it sounds like it. Why?" (Answer: It rhymes!).
4
Activity: Rhyme Time Sort (15 min)
Distribute the Rhyme Time Worksheet.
- Students cut out the pictures at the bottom.
- They must sort them: Does it rhyme with Otter? Or does it NOT?
- Review words: Water, Potter, Daughter (Rhyme) vs. Seesaw, Banana, Dog (Not Rhyme).
5
Closure: Share Your Rhymes (5 min)
Have students share one word they found that rhymes with otter. Can they think of a silly new one? (e.g., "Hotter", "Cotter", "Spot-her").
Differentiation & Support
For Extra Support:
Say the words aloud together before students start cutting. Emphasize the ending sound "-otter."
For a Challenge:
Have students write the words for the rhyming pictures on their worksheet or think of a synonym for "happy" or "sad."
Totter Rhyme Slides
Totter Rhyme Time
Fun with Synonyms and Rhyming Words!
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Warm-Up: Secret Names
🐰
What is another name for a Bunny?
🧶
What is another name for a Rug?
Can one thing have TWO names?
Let's Watch!
Pause at 1:06!
Embedded media
Listen for a different name for the Teeter-Totter!
What is a Synonym?
Same Meaning!
A Synonym is a word that means the SAME thing!
🤝
What is a Rhyme?
A Rhyme is a word that SOUNDS the same at the end!
🎶
Same Sound!
Teeter-Totter
rhymes with...
Peter Otter
Activity: Rhyme Time Sort
1
CUT out the pictures at the bottom of your page.
2
SORT the words. Do they rhyme with "Otter"?
3
GLUE them in the right box!
Great Job!
Can you think of any OTHER words that rhyme with Otter?
Totter Rhyme Worksheet
Totter Rhyme Time
Cut & Paste
Rhyming
Name:
Date:
Instructions:
Look at the pictures at the bottom. Say the words out loud. If the word rhymes with Otter, glue it in the Happy Otter box. If it does NOT rhyme, glue it in the No Rhyme box.
🦦
Rhymes with Otter!
❌
Does NOT Rhyme
Cut along this line
💧
Water
🛝
Seesaw
🍯
Potter
🍌
Banana
👧
Daughter
🐕
Dog
Say the words: Wa-tter, Pot-ter, Daugh-ter. They all have the same ending sound!
Totter Rhyme Answer Key
Answer Key
Totter Rhyme Time Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Correct Placement
Rhymes with Otter!
💧 Water
🍯 Potter
👧 Daughter
Does NOT Rhyme
🛝 Seesaw (Synonym)
🍌 Banana
🐕 Dog
Teaching Points
!
The Synonym Trap
Students often confuse synonyms (meaning) with rhymes (sound). Point out that Seesaw means the same as teeter-totter, but it sounds completely different at the end!
?
Phonemic Awareness
Emphasize the "-otter" sound. Have students say "Wa-tter" and "Daugh-ter" slowly to hear how the ending matches perfectly with "Otter" and "Totter."
