During the first few weeks of school, one of the main things I aim to do is help my students learn each other’s names. In order for me to do this, I use a few different types of activities to help them celebrate our names. I also enjoy using some picture books to share the important message that our names are special and that we can show respect and care to others when we learn to say their names correctly.
Why Is This Important?
As teachers, we can help our students develop a positive view of themselves and others. We can help students learn that their names makes them special. We can help them learn to genuinely appreciate the names of other people, too.
Many years ago, I remember reading a new student’s name on the first day of school. I pronounced it as I saw it on the paper and naturally, students started calling her in the same way, too. Going forward, whenever we played name games, this student would pronounce her way in the same way as I had introduced her.
For months, I wondered why this student would often not respond when I called her name during the day. It wasn’t until the latter part of the school year, when this student very kindly and bravely said: “Why are you saying my name like that? That’s not my name. It’s _____________.” My mouth dropped open. I felt absolutely horrible! For such a long time, I mispronounced her name, her beautiful name! No wonder she didn’t respond. She didn’t recognize it as her name because it wasn’t how her name was pronounced! I immediately re-introduced her to the class and apologized for my great mistake.
I share this story because I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to names! I have obviously, as outlined above, unfortunately mispronounced a student’s amazing name. I have also had my name mispronounced as well, even up to today as a grown-up!
It’s important for us to take the necessary time to listen carefully and learn how to pronounce the names of our students. It is equally as important to give our students the opportunity to practice saying the names of their peers. It’s also valuable to let each student know that it’s more than okay to politely correct others, whether it’s a fellow student or teacher, if their name is mispronounced. Yes, it may sometimes take some practice, but it’s extremely important. It shows respect and care.
Some Name Activities I Use in Class
- Shout It Out: We go outdoors and stand in a circle. Each student says their name loudly and we say it back. This usually gets the students smiling when they hear the echo of their name. It’s a great way to practice pronouncing our names.
- Name Tags: Students can wear their names (e.g., using stickers) in order to help others learn to read and say their names.
- Popsicle Stick Names: In between lessons, I like to use these popsicle sticks to help students read and say the names they see. It’s a great way to celebrate our names.
- Name Art: There are so many amazing ways to celebrate our names in the form of art! Students enjoy using markers, crayons, or pencil crayons, to design their name in different ways. In fact, this year, I have decided that we will do 2 – 3 variations of name art.
- Guess Who: Using a student’s name, I create a riddle and give clues to the class to figure out the “mystery student”. Clues such as, “This student has 7 letters in their name. It starts with a letter a and ends with a y, etc.” Students love solving mysteries and so this game works well. They all wait for their turn to be the “mystery student” over the first month.
- Name Discussion: Ask your students, “Why are names important? How do they help us? Why are they special?” Also ask them, “How do you feel when your name is said incorrectly? How do you help others learn your name? How do you feel when your name is pronounced the right way?”
Favourite Books to Celebrate Our Names
Here are my Top 3 favourite books that help me focus on the fact that names are special and important. Click on each book below for more details about the storyline!
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Questions to Consider
- What name activities have you used in your classroom to help students learn and celebrate names?
- Have you had a similar experience as an educator where you mispronounced a student’s name? How did you deal with it?
- How long does it usually take you to learn the names of all of your students at the start of each new school year?
- Do you have a name that others mispronounce? How do you feel when that happens?
- Why is important to help students learn to say each others’ names correctly?
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