3 Creative Ways for Learning Students’ Names This Fall
Categories“Sorry, I’m terrible with names,” is an apology you might often hear (or say). Since I started teaching, I’ve gotten better with remembering names by simply being more mindful when introductions are made and repeating names aloud or inside my head a couple of times. I’m still far from perfect, though.
This fall many of you will be facing a whole new group of students. But before you dive into the curriculum, taking the time to learn students’ names and allowing them time to learn each other’s names is an important first step towards a successful school year.
Research shows learning students’ names helps them feel connected to the classroom community. Students and teachers are able to communicate more effectively with and among each other, opening the door to a social and empathetic learning environment. Knowing students’ names also helps students become more accountable and can promote positive behaviors. As author and sociology professor, Karen Sternheimer, states, “…when we are known and not anonymous, we are more likely to behave in ways that reflect positively on our identities.”
Below, I’ve outlined a few ideas for not only learning students’ names, but celebrating their identities, as well. Be creative, the possibilities are endless!
- Future Business Owners
As my family and I were driving though a small Wisconsin town, my husband, Alex, pointed out a restaurant called, “Alex’s Pizza” and said, “I want that sign.” Obviously, the sign is special to my husband because 1. he loves pizza and 2. his name is on the sign.
Learn students’ names and get to know what they’re interested in by encouraging them to think about what type of business they’d like to own and operate someday. Allow students to get creative with a computer or with a set of colored pencils and paper to design a storefront or business featuring their names. You could take this activity a step further by having students design streets or entire communities named after themselves.
- Personalized License Plates
Invite students to personalize their own license plates using this template from Education World. Instruct students to feature their name, along with the state or country of their choice on their license plates. (Show students examples of license plates from around the country and around the world.) Encourage students to illustrate designs to represent their interests and identities. Take it a step further by having students include an illustration of their favorite mode of transportation (bike, Jeep, convertible, airplane, boat, etc.) for their license plates to be attached to.
- Fresh Flowers
Rose, Iris, Lily, Jasmine…why can’t all our names be associated with beautiful flowers? Have your students imagine what kind of flowers their own names would represent. Encourage your students to think about the sizes, shapes, and colors of their flowers. What would their flowers smell like? Learn about places that are special to your students by asking them where their flowers would grow. Determine what is important to students by asking them what their flowers need to blossom (besides sunshine and water). Your classroom will look like a floral shop with all the lovely flowers on display!
How will you learn your students’ names and celebrate their identities this fall? Please share your ideas below.
Best wishes to you and your students for a successful start to the 2018/19 school year!
Resources:
https://www.kidsvillage.com/the-importance-of-learning-names/
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