Creating a love of reading can begin with student names. Student names can be as unique as each student. Even if they have a "common" name, they make it their own. Use what they bring with them to make them stronger.
Read a Book
Everyone has probably heard of Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes. It is such a quintessential kindergarten book. Watching Chrysanthemum love her name, then fret over her name, then finally LOVE her name again with the help of the wonderful music teacher is heart-warming. I read the book to students then send home their name in bubble letters for their first family project. They'll send it back in a week later, decorated and unique. I also love A my name is Alice. It's a fun play on beginning sounds. I love giving the students a fun oral activity with the sound chart: _____ is on the ____. They'll write silly sentences like: Austin is on the apple. It certainly brings the giggle. Finally, my favorite book about names is an oldie: Just Only John. It's about a little boy named John who doesn't like his boring name so he takes a magic spell to get a new name. Of course, in the end he wants to be "just only John." It's the cutest story.
Name Chart
Please, please, please have a name chart. Make it with them. I'm not a fan of putting names on the word wall...because some names aren't easily decodable. You can add a picture, if you'd like. I usually highlight the beginning letter. Sometimes, I circle all the A names, B names, C names, and so on. We use the name chart to find letters in the alphabet. I can use the name chart to help decide who is going to write a letter during interactive writing. I can also use the name chart to find similarities and differences. We can also use the name chart in the Fab 5 Center. They have to write 5 Friends Names on the provided paper. Do it.
Anchor Charts
Use their names all over the room. How many letters in your name? What letters are in your name? How many syllables are in your name? How many vowels? Use their name!
Art, too.
After reading Ten Apples on Top, a wonderful counting book, have the students draw their picture and count apples for each letter of their name. (I usually use small Ellison(c) cut-out apples.) They have to count, write, spell, create, order...and it's all with their name.
Writing Sample Plus!
This is the formative assessment our students will complete the first week of school. At first, it's a listening, gluing and ordering activity. They'll get the write paper, a pink "I" square and a blue "am" square. Students will be asked to find the square with the circle in it and put a circle of glue stick inside the square. Then, they will put the pink "I" square on the spot. Next, they will find the square with an "X" in it and put an "X" of glue stick inside the square. Then, they will put the blue "am" square on the spot. Finally, they will write their name (with a model) independently. They will also be asked to draw a picture of themselves.
First Partner Activity
Students can have a name model in their hands and you'll direct them to find a friend who:
- has 1 letter the same as their name.
- has 2 letters the same as their name.
- has the same number of letters as their name.
- get creative!
And we've just begun. Are their any name activities you'd like to share?
I hope you have a wonderful September..and celebrate their names.
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