Gross Motor Activity: Jack Be Nimble
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 3
Coordinating Activities
Gross Motor Activity: Jack Be Nimble Nursery Rhyme
- Candlestick printables to stand on the floor
Kids say the nursery rhyme and jump over the candlestick.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink
- Laminator
- Paper cutter or scissors
- Tape
Standards for Rhymes and Movement
This movement activity supports early learning standards connected to rhyming and gross motor skills.
Common Core State Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.K.2.A: Recognize and produce rhyming words. Kids hear “quick” and “stick” rhyme as they say the nursery rhyme.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- PK4.III.B.6: Child identifies rhyming words. Kids find the rhyming words in the nursery rhyme.
Virginia Standards of Learning
- English K.FFR.2.B: Blend and segment one syllable words by onset and rime. Kids hear the same rime in quick and stick.
Gross Motor Activity: Jack Be Nimble Nursery Rhyme gets preschool and kindergarten kids jumping as they learn a classic rhyme.
Kids say “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick!” and jump over the printable candlestick.
Laminate the candlesticks and tape them to the floor for a quick brain break or nursery rhyme week activity.
How to Use Gross Motor Activity: Jack Be Nimble Nursery Rhyme
- Print and laminate the candlestick.
- Tape it to the floor.
- Say the nursery rhyme together.
- Kids take turns jumping over the candlestick.
- Talk about the rhyming words.
Brain Break: Jump the candlestick between lessons.
Nursery Rhyme Week: Add it to a nursery rhyme unit.
Easy Ways to Differentiate This Movement Activity
Every group has a mix of skills and needs. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Step over the candlestick.
- Hold a hand while jumping.
- Say the rhyme slowly.
- Lay the candlestick flat.
For On-Level Practice:
- Jump over the candlestick.
- Say the rhyme.
- Name the rhyming words.
- Take turns.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Jump on one foot.
- Jump over two candlesticks.
- Make up a new verse.
- Think of more words that rhyme with quick.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Show each step and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Let kids step, march or hop.
Gross Motor Activity: Jack Be Nimble Nursery Rhyme Is Perfect For:
- Toddlers
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- Nursery rhyme units
- Brain breaks
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
