TeachersFirst: Question of the Week Archives

Question of the Week Archives

Question:

Most teachers have a memory trick or consistent technique to help them learn the names of their 20-150+ new students each year. How do YOU learn those names quickly so students know you care about them as individuals?

Replies:

Az
I make nametags of course but sit students in an alpahbetical sequence in the room. The A's sit on my direct left and the Z's on my right. I take attendance using both names. The first day kids say their names and choose an object or place that begins with the first letter of their first and last names. "My name is Abby Smith and I like apples and swimming." Go around the room so each student has a turn. Then students volunteer to repeat names and I finally try to say all names by heart by the end of the day or week. I remove nametags when we think we know all names. It helps visually to see them sitting in ABC order in the room.

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