Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters draw students’ attention to phrases in which many of the words begin with the same sound. In the upper grades, students will learn to call this alliteration, but this observation is also central to children’s development of phonemic awareness.

Instructional ideas:

• Introduce tongue twisters orally at first so that students focus on the sounds of the language.
• Encourage students to write their own tongue twisters. Make a class book!
• Challenge older students to expand their vocabulary by writing tongue twisters using consonant blends or less-common initial sounds.

Teacher Tips

How do you use tongue twisters in your class? Submit your ideas here!

Kids’ Input

What are your favorite tongue twisters? Submit your ideas here!

Resources and Links

Websites

http://www.marcias-lesson-links.com/TongueTwisterExchange.html

Poetry Race -- these poems will really twist your tongue!
http://www.poetryteachers.com/poetryfun/poetryrace.html

Books

Faint Frogs Feeling Feverish and Other Terrifically Tantalizing Tongue Twisters by Lillian Obligada (Viking, 1983)

All About Arthur—an Absolutely Absurd Ape by Eric Carle (1974)

Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1963)

The Biggest Tongue Twister Book in the World by Gyles Brandeth (Sterling, 1978)

A Twister of Twists, A Tangler of Tongues and Busy Buzzing Bumblebees and Other Tongue Twisters by Alvin Schwartz (Harper Collins, 1972)

Six Sick Sheep by Jan Cole (Morrow, 1993)

Animalia by Graeme Base (Abrams, 1987)

Alphabet Annie Announces an All-American Album by Susan Purviance & Marcia O’Shell (1988)