Rhymes with Reason

For the Teacher

Dear Teachers,
Rhymes with Reason is an accessible way to academically enrich students with an
arsenal of high-level vocabulary words learned within a real world context.
Rhymes with Reason breaks down a word bank of about 450 academic vocabulary
words into 45 sets or (playlists) of 10 words. Good Place To Start: The 100 Word
Challenge (for Pilot) breaks down 100 words into 10 sets of 10. There should
be one playlist assigned to each week. (Playlist 1 for Week 1, Playlist 2 for Week 2
and so forth..)
From here, there are several ways to incorporate the weekly words taught through
Rhymes with Reason, curricularly. This incorporation of the vocabulary words can
be especially effective by asking students to apply their knowledge at various
depths. There are 4 main levels at which Rhymes with Reason vocabulary should
be applied (and tested).
The following are lesson plans that utilize Rhymes with Reason as an instructional
tool in the classroom to create an awesome learning experience.

Sample Lesson Plan

Title: Rhymes with Reason Top Ten Weekly Playlist
Duration: 5 days, 20 min./day
Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and
refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how
Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4
Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining
technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word
choices shape meaning or tone.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and
phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting
general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and
nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6

Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words
and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college
and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary
knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or
expression.
Depth of Knowledge Levels:
Level One (Recall, Identify, Define), Level Two (Classify, Identify Patterns, Relate)
Level Three (Formulate, Construct) Level Four (Design. Create, Connect,
Synthesize, Apply Concepts)
Objective: Students will enhance word analysis and contextual skills through the
knowledge and comprehension of college level vocabulary.
Materials: Rhymes with Reason website, laptop, LCD Overhead Projector, index
cards
Student Materials: tablet or laptop
*This lesson can be done with or without student materials.

Activity:
Monday: The First Five
The teacher projects the Rhymes with Reason webpage with the first five of ten
vocabulary words for students. If students have access to a tablet or laptop, then
they will follow along with the teacher. The teacher says the word, plays the lyric
twice, and discusses the meaning and context within the song. Sample questions
could include:
1. What is the denotation of the word?
2. What is the connotation of the word in the context of the lyric?
3. Does the denotative power of the word change with the connotation of the
word in the context of the lyric?
Students complete the multiple choice questions orally in the class. Students
record the word and the definition in their notes labeled Playlist 1. For homework,
students create vocabulary word maps on index cards. The index card should be
categorized as follows:

Word

Definition

Synonyms (at least 2)

Symbol/image that
visually represents
words meaning

Create your own hip

hop lyric

Tuesday: The Second Five

The teacher repeats Mondays activity. Students do same homework assignment
for the next five words.
Wednesday: Student Pair Share/Review
During the first 20 minutes of class students form pairs and share their lyrics and
images (as created on their index cards). Students quiz each other for knowledge
and comprehension of each word using the index cards.
Thursday: Read about it!

Teacher will use laptop and LCD to project Rhymes with Reason Top Ten Playlist.
Teacher will choose 5 words from the Top Ten to go further in depth. Using the
Rhymes with Reason platform, the teacher will select the article that goes along
with the vocab word. Students will read the article and identify the vocabulary
word and discuss its denotation and connotation within the context of the article.
Discussion questions could include:
1. How does the word differ in its usage in the lyric as compared to the article?
2. How does the words usage affect the tone of the article?
3. What other word could be used to have the same denotative power?
4. How do you think the word was chosen: based on sound? Appearance?
Meaning?
Friday: Assessment
Teacher will give a quiz to assess students knowledge and comprehension of the
words. See Rhymes with Reason Top Ten Playlist #1 Quiz.

Sample Student Project

Title: Rhymes with Reason Making of the Video
Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and
phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting
general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and
nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6
Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words
and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college
and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary
knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or
expression.
Depth of Knowledge Level: Level Four (Create, Design, Synthesize)
Objective: Students will create a vocabulary enrichment video demonstrating
knowledge and comprehension of the Rhymes with Reason vocabulary playlists.
Materials: Rhymes with Reason website, laptop, LCD Overhead Projector
Student Materials: tablet or laptop with video making capabilities
Activity:

This activity can be done in small groups of 2-3 people or it can be an independent
assignment. Students will create a short video (5-7 min) that demonstrates the
vocabulary word, its meaning, and how it is used. For example, the student
broadcasts the word and its definition. Then the student can create a short skit or
use movie clips, sound bites, etc, to exemplify the usage of the word and its
context. Students present the videos in class.
See Rhymes with Reason Project Rubric.

Sample Writing Assignment

Title: Writing Rhymes with Reason
Standard(s):
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3.d
Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a
vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2.d
Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as
metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.
Depth of Knowledge level: Level Three (Strategic Thinking)
Objective: Students will write
Materials: Rhymes with Reason website, video making
Students can continue to utilize their Rhymes with Reason Weekly Playlists
through various writing assignments in their English classes. Students can be
assessed on their comprehension and usage of the word using the attached rubric.
See Rhymes with Reason Writing Rubric.