remembering names By joann

With the advance of digital technology, you could take pictures on a digital camera and size them to fit on a page for each class.

I labelled each photo and even had a duplicate for each child to put on their title page so when they handed in their duotang for marking, I knew who they were.

I would quiz myself on the students by looking at the photos and covering the names. If I didn't get some, I would focus on these students the next time I saw them (this seemed to help me notice the "shy and good" kids more)

I will admit that this helped but I didn't learn all of the last names unless I had to call a parent, make a office report or give a written reward.

Admit to the students that you have a lot of names to learn and that they can help you out.

Break this task down into smaller tasks by setting a goal of memorizing a certain number of names each day.

Sometimes, you can cheat and insist that they write their names on their work in really large block letters. This way, you can quickly read their name as you stroll by a desk and mention how "Sammy" has a great answer on question #4.

If you call a student by a wrong name, mention how they look just like(or act just like) a great former student that you had. This compliment seems to go over well.

I have been known to slap myself on the wrist (in a humourous way) when I make a silly error. The students laugh when I do this.

I laugh and tell the students that at least one of them will call me Mom by the end of the year.

If you do end up sharing a room with another teacher, the children will call you by the other teacher's name. Laugh it off to show them how sometimes it is easy to mix everyone up.

If you have time, play some name games (these don't seem to work for me)

Insist that the children wear the same clothes for the first month of school (just joking)!!!!

Develop a seating plan with names and pics on it.

Make name tags or desk tags for each student to keep in their binders/notebooks/duotangs and have them place them on their desks when you are teaching.

I know that there are other ideas but these are some that have worked for me.