Strong Rhythms and Rhymes. (1999). By Carol Strong & William Strong. Thinking Publications, 424 Galloway St., Eau Claire, WI 54703. 233 pages, $37. Reviewed by Nancy Lucker-Lazerson, Carlsbad, CA.

Strong Rhythms and Rhymes: Language and literacy Development Through Sentence Combining is a spiral-bound workbook published by Thinking Publications. The stated purpose of the program is to use sentence-combining activities (progressing from simple to complex) in a chant format to develop phonological awareness and syntax skills. This 100-lesson program is designed for a target audience of students in first through sixth grade, although the authors state that preschool and kindergarten students, as well as English as a second language learners, could also benefit from the program. The program can be used for large groups, small groups, or individual instruction, in a variety of educational and/or therapeutic settings. Although not specifically stated, it could clearly be utilized by classroom teachers, special educators, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), or instructional aides.

Strong Rhythms and Rhymes is divided into two main sections: Introduction and Chant Exercises. The introduction consists of a discussion on the "Magic of Chanting," including theoretical rationale, a four-step teaching approach, and methods for monitoring progress. Additional chapters in the introduction discuss the role and importance of phonological awareness and introduce a "developmental ladder" of syntax. The program contains several indexes that list the chant exercises by targeted syntax, level of difficulty, or rhyme family.

Each of the chant exercises consists of a teacher guide and student worksheet. The teacher guide provides the chant model, syntax goals, rhyme family (for phonological awareness), expansion ideas, and a space for comments and observation. The student worksheet consists of a simple illustration, four pairs of kernel sentences (which will be combined into complex sentences), and blank lines containing closure clues and cue words. Visual, auditory, and social cues are provided.

Strong Rhythms and Rhymes is riding the current wave of the need for SLPs to provide phonological awareness training. The major strength of this program is that it combines that goal with syntax training, which appears to be getting lost in the shuffle. The chant exercises are amusing, easy to implement, and can easily be incorporated into a variety of language therapy activities. In addition, the exercises can be easily worked into a classroom as "warm-ups" for reading or other phonological activities. Because of the simplicity of the program, it can easily be implemented by a variety of personnel in a school or therapy setting. The extensive indexes allow for the user to tailor the chant exercises to the specific needs of each child; examples of short- and long-term goals and objectives are included.

In addition to phonological awareness through rhyming, Strong Rhythms and Rhymes provides an easy way for classroom teachers to reinforce syntax development in the classroom, especially for students with language disorders and other special needs. The theoretical rationale appears to be valid and is certainly timely. I think it would be most beneficial with students in kindergarten through fourth grade, but have a hard time visualizing older elementary students being motivated by the rhymes. This program would be a good addition to a full battery of phonological awareness and syntax development activities.