New YEAR, New NAMES

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Hey Everyone! It's been a while since I have blogged. I will keep it short and sweet. I want to re-share some of my ideas for learning names and teaching on identity at the beginning of the year. I know Many of us are already incorporating name games and activities because we have the -sometimes daunting- task, along with our other essential teacher colleagues, of knowing EVERY child's name. 

Check out the lesson below!​

NEW NAMES LESSON...

Many children struggle with correcting adults/peers on how to say their names. We know there is much importance in learning students names correctly and some of the pro's for taking the time to learn your students name include:

• Students feel seen and empowered when their teachers and peers take the time to learn and speak their names properly.
• Names are a big part of student identity and sometimes ethnic origin. 
• It encourages students to be proud of their names and where they come from. 
• Every student gets to practice and learn each others names which builds community.

For this lesson, I use a chant I learned from a mentor teacher of mine who attributes this name chant to Avon Gillespie. See chant in image below:

Lesson Objectives 
-Create & perform rhythm patterns, AB form.
-Steady Beat Practice 
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Use the chant as an "A section" and use students names as the "B section". Have the student leader phonetically say their name and the rest of the class echos. The B might sound like this:
"Mis-zuz dung-kin-sin" -Student leader
"Mis-zuz dung-kin-sin" -Students echo

"Ah-leh-wah-duh" - Student leader
"Ah-leh-wah-duh" -Students echo
"Eh-muh-lee" - Student leader
"Eh-muh-lee"-Students echo

As an extension I like to pair the chant with books and let the books be the "B Section".  I have used the following books for multiple grade levels. Click on book image below to learn more about the text itself. 

These books range from how names can be silly or playful - to  the ways our names and identities hold complexities. I encourage you to explore your local library and find a book that interests you and your students. 

Hope you find this lesson useful! Remember to be gentle with your mind as you have the task of learning all the new names, YOU GOT THIS! 

-Charissa aka Mrs. Dunc