"Jack be Nimble": A Read-Aloud-Rhyme

Look at the animals on the right. Which ones are nimble? Which ones are not?

Parents and teachers can read these rhymes aloud, and encourage little ones to repeat and even memorize them (I did when I was a kid!)

Jack be nimble,
Jack be quick,
Jack jump over
the candle-stick.

--------

Some words to talk about:

• nimble: able to move easily and lightly
• quick: fast

---

ACTIVITIES:

Look at the four animals in the picture above. Which ones are "nimble"? Which ones are not? See the answer below.

Make a "candle" (not actually burning) out of a rolled up piece of paper; a paper towel or toilet paper tube will work nicely. Decorate it (paint will do), attach some yellow paper to the top for a "flame," and set it on the floor. Then jump over it one time for each line in the rhyme (four times total) as you recite the rhyme from memory. Fun!

Image from Sophie-World.com; directions there.

Answer: Monkeys and cats are nimble; turtles and cows are not.