Once August comes to a close, I know exactly what to expect: the Back to School nightmares!  For a solid week, I’ll have reoccurring dreams of my classroom in chaos.  I’ll have the usual dreams of out of control students, but sometimes I’ll have more unique ones, like the time I dreamt about all my decorations falling off the wall.  That was pretty bad.

But I know, as do most veteran teachers, the only way to ease the September nerves is to get yourself prepared!  Before heading to your classroom, you’re going to need some First Day Tips!  Therefore, for the rest of the summer, I will be creating a blog series about just that!

This post is about NAMES!

Learning names seems like it’s the last thing to worry about on the first day, but think about it.  Have you ever tried to reprimand a student but you didn’t know their name?  It’s almost impossible!  Knowing a student’s name immediately creates a basic relationship.  It tells the student “I know you.  You matter to me.”  So how can we learn 30-120 names quickly?  By playing a giant game of Memory, of course!

1.  Student Names on Post-It Notes on Their Desks

My maiden name is difficult to pronounce, so like many students, I dreaded the first day of school when I knew the teacher would inevitably say my name incorrectly.  ::shudder:: To combat this, I write each student’s name on a Post-It note and put them on the desks.  When the students enter the room, they are asked to find their names and begin the First Day Survey.  At a glance, I am able to see which students are absent.  Then, we get to work!

2.  Talk to Every Child

While the students work on their First Day Survey, I sit and talk to each one of them.  My conversation goes something like this:

“Hi, I’m Mrs. Hughes!”  SHAKE HANDS “Can you say your name for me?” or “Do you like to be called ___ or ___?” Then I ask them about their summer, something they’re wearing, a pencil they’re writing with, honestly, anything to start a conversation!  Talk to the student for about 10-20 seconds and use their name as often as you can.  I end with a friendly, “It’s nice to meet you, ___!”

3.  Play Memory… By Yourself!

My students sit in pods which is great for learning names.  After my conversation with the students in one pod, I stand and recite each of their names.  When I finish the conversations at the second pod, I recite their names and the names the students in the first pod.  This rotation continues until the end when I stand, ask the students to stop what they are doing, and PREPARE TO BE AMAZED!

I, then, start with the first child and recite the names of each student in the classroom.

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I have used this method for my entire career and will learn the names of the majority of the class on the First Day.

“Magic?”  they say.

No, no…  It’s Memory!

*Stay tuned for more Back to School tips!  Until then, wishing you pleasant dreams of happy students and posters adhering to the walls!

 

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