Episode 27 – How to Learn 300 Names by December . . . Really!

Jeanette MihalchikHappy Music Teacher

 

Learning a large number of students’ names at the beginning of the school year is such a challenge.

The Importance of Learning Names:**

– Discuss the challenge of learning names, especially without the advantage of virtual labels.

– Highlight the significance of knowing students’ names:

1. Making students feel valued and important.

2. Enhancing behavior management through personal connection.

3. Building a positive classroom culture that fosters learning and engagement.

Strategies for Learning Names:

– **Practice Makes Perfect:**

– Call students by name whenever possible.

– Let students about your learning process.

– **Creating Name Tags:**

– Have students create their own name tags.

– You’ll get detailed instructions for name tag creation and rules.

– Discuss storage solutions for managing the name tags.

Fun Name Games:**

I’ll introduce some of my favorite name games in detail and mention a few others.

– **Jump In, Jump Out:** Ideal for 3rd to 5th graders; the chant and movement make it memorable.

– **I Can Keep the Beat:** Suitable for younger students, involves rhythm and repetition.

– **The Name Game:** A playful and silly way to learn names as a group.

– **Za Cody Cody:** Perfect for 2nd to 5th graders, encourages rhythmic coordination.

– **We’re Goin’ Downtown:** Fun for PreK to 1st graders, a singing and movement activity.

– **Easy Name Game Competition:** Competitively practice saying names quickly.

– **Up the Ladder:** Works for all grades, involves repetition of names.

– **Name Game with Actions:** Engages 4th and 5th graders with personalized movements.

– **Johnny Plays the Drum Beat:** Incorporates instruments and rhythm for younger students.

– **Name, Name, What’s Your Name:** Features rhythmic phrases for name learning.

– **Yes! Name Game:** Offers movement-based learning for older students.

——————————————

What we talked about:

My blog post with more details about how to learn names

The Happy Music Teacher Academy is now open for new members! Learn more and join here: https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy

Send me an email: jeanette@storiesthatsing.net

Visit my website: https://storiesthatsing.net/

Sign up for my newsletter and receive THREE FREE Lesson Plans: https://mailchi.mp/5f337a46b85f/storiesthatsing

Join my Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themusicteachergroup

Follow me on IG: @thehappymusicteacher

Follow me on TikTok: @thehappymusicteacher

MORE EPISODES