Name Games for the Entire Year

When it's time to plan activities for those first weeks of back to school, we often think about their names.  But, how about name games that we can use the WHOLE year! Here are a few of the name activities that we use during our year.

Signing In

Who remembers the day when the teacher took attendance by calling out each individual child's name to have him/her respond with "here"? That's something I haven't seen in a while. 
We take our attendance by having children answer the question of the day. While these questions can be anything that you choose, we want to call attention to the features in their names. We have them sign in by answering these questions:

• Do you have __ in your name?
• Do you have __ letters in your name?
• Do you have __ syllables in your name?
• Do you have __ consonants in your name?
• Do you have __ vowels in your name?
• Is your name longer than ___'s name?
• Is your name shorter than ___'s name?
• Is your name the same length as ___'s name?

Name Puzzles

Name puzzles can be used all year to teach many different standards. To make the puzzles, here is what we did.

• Using a table or spreadsheet, type the individual letters for each child's name. This will be important when comparing the length of their names---Jill will be the same length as Mark!
• Photocopy letters on cardstock and laminate. Copy their first name on one color of paper and their last name on a different color of paper.
• Insert a photo for each child. I cropped mine into a circle since I was using these circular containers.
• Insert a text box with their name. Crop to a circle. Make their first name the same color as the color of paper you copied their first name on. Make the last names the same color as the color of paper you copied their last names on.
• Print their photos and names on a FULL sheet label. 
• Cut out the names and photos and stick to the lid, photo on the outside and name on the inside.

Puzzle Name Activities

Here are some of the name puzzle activities.

Adding Up Consonants

• Invite the children to select a picture of a friend.
• Get their name puzzle puzzle.
• Get out the letters for the first name.
• Sort the letters by vowels and consonants.
• Count the number of consonants and write it below their photo.
• Put this name puzzle away.
• Repeat with another name.

Adding Up Vowels

Play this game the same as the Adding Up Consonant Game, but the children will sort and count the vowels.

Adding Up Our Names

• Invite the children to select a name puzzle.
• Sort the letters by vowels and consonants. 
• Write the child's name in the first box.
• Write the number of consonants and vowels in the correct box.
• Add them together and record the total.

Comparing Names

• Invite the children to get their own name puzzle.
• Lay the letters to spell the first name in a straight line.
• Select a friend's name puzzle.
• Lay the letters to spell their first name below your name matching the letters one to one.
• Record the names on the recording sheet and circle the answer.

Syllable Counting

• Invite the children to select a photograph of a friend.
• Glue it into the box as shown.
• Clap and count the syllables.
• Circle the number of syllables.

You can also use this version. It is a little more challenging to have so much on one page. But, it would be great for later in the year.

Class Books

Class books are a great way to develop prosody. Class books are often rhythmic and repetitive. Children will revisit, re-read, and remember these books, especially ones with their names. 

To make this book, here is what I  did...

• I made a table with the letters in their names, ran copies, and cut the letters apart.
• The children glue their picture to the top of their page.
• Then, they find the letters to spell their name 3 times.
• Once each child makes a page, bind the pages together to make a book.
• Sing to the tune of Bingo.

We also made a Cheerleader book. This is especially fun when you add pom poms and megaphones for the rereading. Here's how we made these books:

• The top book is an accordion fold book.
•  This type of book works well when children are gluing.
• Invite the children to glue a title page, pages for each letter in their name, and the last page.
• Children find the letters to spell their name, gluing one letter on each page.
• After the project dries, accordion fold the paper and staple along the edge to make a book.
• The bottom book is another class book.
• The children find the letters to spell their name and glue them to the page.
• Then, they find a card with their name and glue it down.
• You can add a picture for easier name identification.
  

All of these activities are included in this names unit. You can find it by clicking on the image above. There will be several surprises, too! :)