?Smart School Start

2014Academic Mini-Mixers

Best Name Game EVER

Estimated time: 30 minutes by Marlena Hebern??

Academic Goals

Culture GoalsEstablish a positive climate

Students begin to build rapport with one another

Student feel like they are a part of the class

Light and meaningful writing activity

Use as a quick writing assessment and the kids don’t even know!

Students have fun

In self contained classes: Do this as a school wide activity

In departmentalized classes: Do this for each period

Fun feedback! Play the name game and then

students draw a name and write a message introducing themselves to a classmate.

OR Students can use the iPad camera to take a selfie, insert into Pages, and write a short introduction!

Best Name Game EVER

One spring I realized that my students didn't know the names of their classmates?

!I never let that happen again!???

Best Name Game EVER

And, this isn’t that name game… !

You know, the one where one child at a time struggles to remember everyone’s name…

!This one is better!?? ?

Best Name Game EVER

The Play.. !

Stand in a circle. The first person says, “Hi, my name is Mary.”

The WHOLE class says, “Mary.”???

Best Name Game EVER

!The second person says, “Hi, my name is Kevin.”

The WHOLE class says, “Mary, Kevin.” !

The third person says, “Hi, my name is Sandy.” The WHOLE class says, “Mary, Kevin, Sandy”???

Best Name Game EVER

!And that’s it!

!The game continues until everyone

is named around the circle. ???

Best Name Game EVER

!Tips:

Allow enough time so you can complete the game in one sitting.

!Keep the pace moving! ???

Best Name Game EVER!

Academic Extension: !

Students draw a name and write a message introducing themselves

to a classmate. !

For very young students, complete a sentence frame. My name is ______ and I like ______.

!Older students write a short paragraph.???