Rhymes with Reason

“Vocabulary unlocks comprehension.”

Dr. Saliha Nelson, CEO + Founder of Urgent Academy in Miami, shares how Rhymes with Reason supports vocabulary growth, student engagement, and self-directed learning across their middle school model.

One insight that stood out to us: Their students use Rhymes with Reason just 15–20 minutes, three times per week — yet they’re already seeing a correlation between program usage and MAP vocabulary performance.

She also speaks candidly about:
• supporting students across different literacy levels
• increasing engagement through music and language
• giving students more ownership over learning goals
• why student feedback and responsiveness matter in implementation

Grateful for leaders like Dr. Nelson who are rethinking what literacy engagement can look like for middle school students.

Every student learns differently.

One educator from shared a powerful story about a student on the autism spectrum who struggled with sustained attention during traditional literacy activities.

But something changed.

Over time, he began completing Rhymes with Reason modules independently — and eventually it became part of his daily routine.

When learning meets students where they are, growth follows. 📚

If you’re a principal looking for ways to improve reading performance at your school, this might be worth 30 minutes of your time.

Schools across the South are using music students already know and love to strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, and engagement — all skills that impact i-Ready and MAP reading performance.

Join us for a short educator conversation on how schools are using Rhymes With Reason to make literacy practice more engaging for students.

📅 March 26
⏰ 3:30 PM Eastern

Attendees will also receive free access to a 90-day Rhymes With Reason trial for up to 50 students.

Perfect for:
• School Principals
• Literacy Specialists
• Instructional Coaches
• ELA Leaders

Save your spot today.

A teacher recently asked a student where he learned the vocabulary words he used in an essay.

His answer? “I learned it through music.” 🎤📚

The student learned these words through Rhymes with Reason — and didn’t even realize he was using them.

When vocabulary sticks, students start using it naturally in writing and conversation. Join our next webinar to hear from US educators about how RwR is empowering students to perform better on standardized tests. Link in bio 🔗

Reading scores are rising in a district that has historically faced some of the toughest literacy challenges in the country.

Not because of more worksheets.
Not because of more test prep.

Because students are learning vocabulary through their favorite artists. 🎤📚

At Milkovich Middle School in Maple Heights, Ohio, students using Rhymes with Reason saw:

• 16-point gains in iReady vocabulary scores
• More than double the growth of non-participating students

When students connect with the learning, the results follow.

Sometimes the most powerful literacy tools are the ones students already love.

Students at the Boys & Girls Club of Watts Willowbrook just performed an original song they wrote using vocabulary learned through Rhymes With Reason. 🎤📚

Through our partnership with the Chargers Impact Fund, students across four Boys & Girls Clubs of LA are turning new words into music — making vocabulary something they don’t just memorize, but actually use.

Words like nonchalant, intuition, and commotion woven into verses they created themselves.

This is what it looks like when culture, creativity, and opportunity come together — and when learning feels dynamic, relevant, and real.

When professional athletes invest in education, the goal is simple: real impact for students not just visibility.

At KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy in New Jersey, 9th grade English teacher Kourtney Fullard is seeing that impact firsthand through a Rhymes With Reason program sponsored by NBA player .

Students are building vocabulary and reading skills independently — using context clues, clear directions, and interactive quizzes that help them connect the dots on their own. For Ms. Fullard, that independence matters just as much as the outcomes, especially as her school works to improve SAT performance, a critical focus for high school students.

This is what it looks like when athlete sponsorships are translated into structured, standards-aligned learning — with measurable results, strong educator support, and no added lift for classrooms.