Which activity is most likely to help students understand rhythm in poetry?

Having students clap is a highly effective activity for helping them understand rhythm in poetry because clapping provides a physical and auditory representation of the beats and patterns found in poetic meter. By encouraging students to clap out the rhythms, they can actively engage with the flow of the verse, making it easier to discern how syllables are stressed and how the tempo influences the overall feel of the poem. This kinesthetic approach not only aids in comprehension but also allows students to experience rhythm in a tangible way, fostering a deeper connection to the text.

Listening to music, while beneficial in exposing students to rhythm, may not focus specifically on the nuances of poetic structure like clapping does. Writing their own poem allows for creativity, but without first understanding rhythm, students may struggle to incorporate it effectively. Performing a play might involve rhythm in dialogue delivery, but it does not isolate or highlight the rhythmic components of poetry as directly as clapping does.