Should I use nametags

[Unregistered]

Hello everyone,

I am a first year uni student who needs some advice. Once I start teaching, I am worried that I will constantly forget students names as I already have a shocking memory. Can I use name tags on the students at the start of the year or would that be inappropriate. I really have no idea so if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appriciated.

Thanx!

[awaxler]

Hi,

Here is a little tip for remembering students names.

Before each school year, I get the previous years yearbook and spend a few minutes each day going through that yearbook.

The kids are always amazed at how I know all their names on the first day.

It isn't as hard as you think.

Hope that helps,
Adam Waxler
http://www.teaching-teacher.com

[Jared]

What grade level are your students? That will make a difference in my recommendation.

[Unregistered]

At the beginning of every year on the first day I get the children to make their own desk name plate that stands up and can be seen from the front of the room. They enjoy this as they can be quite creative. By the end of the first week I know everyone's name- and I've got a pretty bad memory too. I also play little games with their names-like calling out the attendance register and I've got to find the child. Younger children don't mind wearing name tags.

[Unregistered]

Hello everyone,

I am a first year uni student who needs some advice. Once I start teaching, I am worried that I will constantly forget students names as I already have a shocking memory. Can I use name tags on the students at the start of the year or would that be inappropriate. I really have no idea so if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appriciated.

Thanx!



Yes, you should because it will be more embaressing to forget their names.

[Unregistered]

I have been teaching for almost 9 years and have a horrible time with names of students, 32 5th graders, many who I have been seeing growing up and they look just like thier brother or sister did.

I place nametags on students desks and laminate them down. I also take a picture of each student and create a simple attendance board that they use to take attendance daily. They come in daily and flip their picture this also helps the various substitutes.

Each of these strategies helps me remember their names a little bit more. I still get mixed up sometimes but it sure helps.

[Nancy]

Seating students in alphabetic order helps a great deal in learning their names.

[Unregistered]

I purchased a button maker and have my students design their own buttons on the first day of school. It is a little more expensive than name tags, but they last all year. When we have visitors in the room, substitutes, or a new student, I just take out the buttons to make it easier on them. Tip: Write their names with a dark marker so you can still see it through the decorations.

[Unregistered]

Before school start make tri-pods, about 3x7 inches and put students first name on front and back. They leave the tri-pod taped on the corner of their desk all year. Great for teachers first days, subs, Paras, parent and visitors. We do it in K, 1, 2, 3, 4 grades. Petunia

[mrmyers]

Yes! Definitely use name tags! Now I am assuming that since you posted this in the "Grades 3-5" forum that you teach in the elementary school setting. I have taught grades 3 through 6 and have used year-round name tags in every grade. Not only will it make your life easier if you are concerned about remembering their names in the heat of the moment, but it makes life easier for anyone who visits your class (ie. special presenters, administrators, parents, etc.)

If you are interested, I can email my name tag template to you. It is a very simple layout that when printed on cardstock and laminated lasts until you and the children are sick of the font and/or color and decide to replace them. I replace mine about twice a year. Good luck to you!

[Unregistered]

Hello everyone,

I am a first year uni student who needs some advice. Once I start teaching, I am worried that I will constantly forget students names as I already have a shocking memory. Can I use name tags on the students at the start of the year or would that be inappropriate. I really have no idea so if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appriciated.

Thanx!
I think using name tags is a wonderful idea. You can have the students decorate them about their personality!

[Unregistered]

Hi Mr Myers,

I just happened to come across this page while I was searching for name tag ideas and noticed that you said you had a template for name tags that you would be willing to email.

I was wondering if you would be able to email me the template too. I'm a 2nd Year Uni student and I will be completing a 4 week block in a Kindergarten classroom and would be very grateful for ideas on how to contruct the name tags.

Any help would be much appreciated.

My Email address is halinka@dodo.com.au

Thanks for your help =)

Helena

[girly]

i wouldn't give them the sticker kind because they fall off!

[Unregistered]

Well if the children are younger, feel free to use name tags! If they are higher up in the grade level, then place cards on their desks that face you. That way you can call on them, and you will know where they sit. Or do this. Let's say someones name is Bobby. Think of a sentance like Bobby has brown hair. Bobby and brown start with the same letter. Or you could say...Susie likes Silver. hope that i helped!

[Mckenzie]

mrmyers-
I would love to get that name tag template from you. I spend a lot of time making nametags for my kids and it would be great to put all their names in the computer- I bet it looks neat too:)

jasonhawkins77@hotmail.com


Yes! Definitely use name tags! Now I am assuming that since you posted this in the "Grades 3-5" forum that you teach in the elementary school setting. I have taught grades 3 through 6 and have used year-round name tags in every grade. Not only will it make your life easier if you are concerned about remembering their names in the heat of the moment, but it makes life easier for anyone who visits your class (ie. special presenters, administrators, parents, etc.)

If you are interested, I can email my name tag template to you. It is a very simple layout that when printed on cardstock and laminated lasts until you and the children are sick of the font and/or color and decide to replace them. I replace mine about twice a year. Good luck to you!

[Unregistered]

I have decided not to use nametags even though I have a horrible memory because I can cheat and always look at the tags without memorizing the students' names. The first few days of school I play the 'name game.' I have a student tell me his/her name and I continuously repeat it. Then I add another student and repeat both names many times. At the end when I have said everyone's name correctly the 'game' begins. I close my eyes and count to ten. The students get up and quietly move to someone else's seat. Then I try to remember their names. I do this to put names to actual faces instead of just seats. The kids love the movement and the the ability to try and 'trick' the teacher. I do this several times a day for the first few days of school and the kids (I've taught second through fourth grade) never seem to tire of it. I also do this when we return from a long break.

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

If a teacher has a hard time remembering the names of her students, that means she is not questioning her students effectively or sufficiently often.

[Unregistered]

If a teacher has a hard time remembering the names of her students, that means she is not questioning her students effectively or sufficiently often.

Oh, for Pete's sake. I have 5 classes of 25-32 kids each. That's 140 kids I have to remember! You don't learn that many names and faces in a couple of weeks. And then there are the ones with ethnic names that I can barely pronounce, let alone spell. If it weren't for name tags, I'd never keep them straight. And questioning a student has nothing to do with remembering names.

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

Oh, for Pete's sake. I have 5 classes of 25-32 kids each. That's 140 kids I have to remember! You don't learn that many names and faces in a couple of weeks. And then there are the ones with ethnic names that I can barely pronounce, let alone spell. If it weren't for name tags, I'd never keep them straight. And questioning a student has nothing to do with remembering names.

Sorry, I didn't realize you needed to learn them within the first two weeks.

If you ask 40 questions in each 50-minute class session and call students randomly by name, I don't see why it would take more than two weeks to learn their names. This assumes you make some effort to associate the name with the face each time.

Try it.

BTW, I'm bad with names, too, but mostly because I don't pay close attention when being introduced.

[Unregistered]

If you ask 40 questions in each 50-minute class session and call students randomly by name, I don't see why it would take more than two weeks to learn their names. This assumes you make some effort to associate the name with the face each time.

I teach computer basics/keyboarding and there's no questioning. I explain the day's projects, the kids get started and I pretty much see only the backs of their heads as I walk around, unless they have questions/problems. I'd love to have 50 minute classes, but mine are only 40.

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

I teach computer basics/keyboarding and there's no questioning.

You mean there are no questions like "Explain the difference between Save and Save As"? Or, "Describe in your own words what we mean by the home row?"

[Unregistered]

You mean there are no questions like "Explain the difference between Save and Save As"? Or, "Describe in your own words what we mean by the home row?"

Of course there are a few questions, but not many, and those are mainly from the students. I have 40 minutes with them, and by the time 30 kids get settled, that's usually more like 35. I have goals set by the school and every student has to be able to type a certain number of words and create other projects in 10 weeks. Unfortunately I can't spend the time I'd like...it has to be hands on, and quickly.

And then of course there's the fact that I have only 30 computers and 2 classes of 32 kids...

[KatieBee]

If they are seated, use name cards, easier to read and don't become obscured.

But I would definitely make a huge effort on this floor, there is something special about the teachers who know everyone's name quickly--and nothing more of a disenchanting than a teacher grasping to remember your name! I had teachers who would ask us to bring in a pic of ourselves on a card with a few facts about ourselves and what we liked to do so he coudl study them. Just add it on to your homework!