Clap, Stomp, and Learn: Exploring Syllables with Jack Hartmann!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 2:49 Video
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Lesson Description

Get ready to move and learn! This lesson uses the Jack Hartmann 'Let's Learn About Syllables' video to introduce Pre-K students to syllables, helping them understand that words are made up of parts and that each syllable has a beat.

Video Resource

Let's Learn About Syllables | Jack Hartmann

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 2:49
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Syllables are parts of a word.
  • Each syllable has a beat.
  • Words can have one, two, three, or four syllables.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the number of syllables in simple words.
  • Students will be able to perform physical actions (clap, raise arms, stomp, tap) corresponding to the number of syllables in a word.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking the children if they know what a syllable is. Explain in simple terms that syllables are like the 'beats' in a word. Tell them you will all be watching a fun video where you get to move your body to count the syllables.
  • Video Viewing (5 mins)
    Play the 'Let's Learn About Syllables' video by Jack Hartmann. Encourage the children to actively participate by clapping, raising their arms, stomping their feet, and tapping their knees as instructed in the video.
  • Practice and Play (10 mins)
    After the video, practice identifying syllables in words. Say a word slowly and clap out each syllable with the children. Use words from the video and some new simple words like 'apple,' 'table,' and 'happy.' Repeat the video if needed.
  • Syllable Sorting (10 mins)
    Show pictures of objects or animals, then clap and count the syllables together as a class. Have the students sort the pictures into groups based on syllable count.

Interactive Exercises

  • Clap-Along Game
    Teacher says a word, and the children clap out the syllables. Can be played as a whole class or in small groups. The teacher can use flashcards with pictures to provide visual aids.
  • Movement Syllable Count
    Assign movements to syllable counts (1=jump, 2=spin, 3=wiggle). Say a word, and students perform the movement corresponding to the number of syllables.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a syllable?
  • How many syllables were in the word 'cat'?
  • What did we do when a word had two syllables?

Skills Developed

  • Phonological Awareness
  • Auditory Discrimination
  • Following Directions
  • Gross Motor Skills

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

How many parts does the word 'dog' have?

Correct Answer: One

Question 2:

What do we do when a word has two parts?

Correct Answer: Raise our arms

Question 3:

Which of these words has three parts?

Correct Answer: Banana

Question 4:

Which has 4 parts

Correct Answer: alligator

Question 5:

How many syllables does Mon-day have?

Correct Answer: two

Question 6:

How many syllables does pizza have?

Correct Answer: two

Question 7:

How many syllables does water-mel-on have?

Correct Answer: four

Question 8:

How many syllables does cat have?

Correct Answer: one

Question 9:

What do we do when a word has one part?

Correct Answer: Clap our hands

Question 10:

What did Jack Hartmann teach us about?

Correct Answer: Syllables

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Syllables are parts of a ____.

Correct Answer: word

Question 2:

We ____ our hands for one syllable words.

Correct Answer: clap

Question 3:

We ____ our arms for two syllable words.

Correct Answer: raise

Question 4:

We ____ our feet for three syllable words.

Correct Answer: stomp

Question 5:

We ____ our knees for four syllable words.

Correct Answer: tap

Question 6:

Base-ball has ____ syllables.

Correct Answer: two

Question 7:

Dog has ____ syllable.

Correct Answer: one

Question 8:

El-e-phant has ____ syllables.

Correct Answer: three

Question 9:

Jack Hartmann taught us about ____

Correct Answer: syllables

Question 10:

Bi-cy-cle has ____ syllables.

Correct Answer: three

Educational Standards

PK.2.PA.3:Students will recognize syllables in spoken words (e.g., pony = po + ny). PK.1.L.2:Students will follow simple one-step oral directions. PK.7.W:Students will begin to combine movement with relevant props, images, or illustrations to support their writing and speaking. PK.8.R:Students will listen and respond to read-alouds, participate in shared reading, and interact independently with texts.

Teaching Materials

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