Rhyming Cards for Us by Us
As a homeschooling mom to a three-year-old, I take pride in ensuring her educational tools and content truly reflect her lived experiences. As she grows in her reading skills, I’ve wanted to explore gamification as we focus on rhyming because children deserve diverse, culturally meaningful ways to learn.
When I began searching for culturally relevant rhyming game cards, I found almost no options that represented us. Many available decks, whether free or paid, featured the American flag or non-melanated portrayals of common characters like "dad" and "girl." If the resources we use to empower our children’s minds are wrapped in exclusion, we risk reinforcing a mindset that views their identity, future, and language through a narrow or deficit lens. Words and images like “dad,” “king,” “girl,” and “flag” should affirm their heritage and unique experiences.
This matching deck is designed not only to build reading skills but also to help your little ones connect with and see themselves in the learning process.
Here are some tips and examples to bring these cards to life:
- Print the cards double-sided, with masks on one side and the designed images on the other.
- Cut out the cards and, if possible, laminate them to use over and over.
- Discuss each image, not only why the words rhyme but also the cultural significance of each image. Here are a few examples:
- Plant/Ant: The image of a woman holding a plant depicts Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her work in conservation and her efforts to empower women through reforestation projects remind us of the power of resilience and stewardship. Talking about Wangari can teach children that protecting the earth and standing up for their beliefs are legacies worth nurturing.
- King/Ring: For the word “king,” I included an image of my daughter’s great-great-grandfather, an Obi (a traditional king) in Nigeria. By tracing her lineage back to him, she gains a sense of pride and identity that helps counter the narratives that often devalue Black history and heritage. For young Black children, understanding their roots helps them see their place in a long line of strength, leadership, and community.
- Sun/Run: For “sun,” I used an art piece depicting Oshún, a revered Yoruba deity known for her associations with beauty, love, and rivers. For “run,” I chose Sha’Carri Richardson, a track star who exemplifies resilience, confidence, and authenticity. Highlighting figures like Oshún and Sha’Carri encourages children to celebrate both ancestral traditions and contemporary icons who defy limits and proudly own their identity.
- Highlighting Rhyming Words: I color-coded words that have matching letters and sounds (like “king” and “ring”), while words that rhyme but have different spellings (like “bead” and “seed”) are marked with a different highlight. This distinction not only reinforces rhyming patterns but also shows that sounds can match even when letters don’t, adding a fun layer of complexity.
By exploring each image’s story, your child can see themselves as the architects of not just their learning but their overall lives.
As a homeschooling mom to a three-year-old, I take pride in ensuring her educational tools and content truly reflect her lived experiences. As she grows in her reading skills, I’ve wanted to explore gamification as we focus on rhyming because children deserve diverse, culturally meaningful ways to learn.
When I began searching for culturally relevant rhyming game cards, I found almost no options that represented us. Many available decks, whether free or paid, featured the American flag or non-melanated portrayals of common characters like "dad" and "girl." If the resources we use to empower our children’s minds are wrapped in exclusion, we risk reinforcing a mindset that views their identity, future, and language through a narrow or deficit lens. Words and images like “dad,” “king,” “girl,” and “flag” should affirm their heritage and unique experiences.
This matching deck is designed not only to build reading skills but also to help your little ones connect with and see themselves in the learning process.
Here are some tips and examples to bring these cards to life:
- Print the cards double-sided, with masks on one side and the designed images on the other.
- Cut out the cards and, if possible, laminate them to use over and over.
- Discuss each image, not only why the words rhyme but also the cultural significance of each image. Here are a few examples:
- Plant/Ant: The image of a woman holding a plant depicts Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her work in conservation and her efforts to empower women through reforestation projects remind us of the power of resilience and stewardship. Talking about Wangari can teach children that protecting the earth and standing up for their beliefs are legacies worth nurturing.
- King/Ring: For the word “king,” I included an image of my daughter’s great-great-grandfather, an Obi (a traditional king) in Nigeria. By tracing her lineage back to him, she gains a sense of pride and identity that helps counter the narratives that often devalue Black history and heritage. For young Black children, understanding their roots helps them see their place in a long line of strength, leadership, and community.
- Sun/Run: For “sun,” I used an art piece depicting Oshún, a revered Yoruba deity known for her associations with beauty, love, and rivers. For “run,” I chose Sha’Carri Richardson, a track star who exemplifies resilience, confidence, and authenticity. Highlighting figures like Oshún and Sha’Carri encourages children to celebrate both ancestral traditions and contemporary icons who defy limits and proudly own their identity.
- Highlighting Rhyming Words: I color-coded words that have matching letters and sounds (like “king” and “ring”), while words that rhyme but have different spellings (like “bead” and “seed”) are marked with a different highlight. This distinction not only reinforces rhyming patterns but also shows that sounds can match even when letters don’t, adding a fun layer of complexity.
By exploring each image’s story, your child can see themselves as the architects of not just their learning but their overall lives.
As a homeschooling mom to a three-year-old, I take pride in ensuring her educational tools and content truly reflect her lived experiences. As she grows in her reading skills, I’ve wanted to explore gamification as we focus on rhyming because children deserve diverse, culturally meaningful ways to learn.
When I began searching for culturally relevant rhyming game cards, I found almost no options that represented us. Many available decks, whether free or paid, featured the American flag or non-melanated portrayals of common characters like "dad" and "girl." If the resources we use to empower our children’s minds are wrapped in exclusion, we risk reinforcing a mindset that views their identity, future, and language through a narrow or deficit lens. Words and images like “dad,” “king,” “girl,” and “flag” should affirm their heritage and unique experiences.
This matching deck is designed not only to build reading skills but also to help your little ones connect with and see themselves in the learning process.
Here are some tips and examples to bring these cards to life:
- Print the cards double-sided, with masks on one side and the designed images on the other.
- Cut out the cards and, if possible, laminate them to use over and over.
- Discuss each image, not only why the words rhyme but also the cultural significance of each image. Here are a few examples:
- Plant/Ant: The image of a woman holding a plant depicts Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her work in conservation and her efforts to empower women through reforestation projects remind us of the power of resilience and stewardship. Talking about Wangari can teach children that protecting the earth and standing up for their beliefs are legacies worth nurturing.
- King/Ring: For the word “king,” I included an image of my daughter’s great-great-grandfather, an Obi (a traditional king) in Nigeria. By tracing her lineage back to him, she gains a sense of pride and identity that helps counter the narratives that often devalue Black history and heritage. For young Black children, understanding their roots helps them see their place in a long line of strength, leadership, and community.
- Sun/Run: For “sun,” I used an art piece depicting Oshún, a revered Yoruba deity known for her associations with beauty, love, and rivers. For “run,” I chose Sha’Carri Richardson, a track star who exemplifies resilience, confidence, and authenticity. Highlighting figures like Oshún and Sha’Carri encourages children to celebrate both ancestral traditions and contemporary icons who defy limits and proudly own their identity.
- Highlighting Rhyming Words: I color-coded words that have matching letters and sounds (like “king” and “ring”), while words that rhyme but have different spellings (like “bead” and “seed”) are marked with a different highlight. This distinction not only reinforces rhyming patterns but also shows that sounds can match even when letters don’t, adding a fun layer of complexity.
By exploring each image’s story, your child can see themselves as the architects of not just their learning but their overall lives.