How Many Beats in Your Name?
Foundations for Phonemic Awareness
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 0: Foundation for LiteracyAges:
4-6
Grade Range:
PreK K 1stFood Groups:
Primary:
Phonemic Awareness
Activity Description
Preparation:
1. Gather students' name tags and sticky tack
a. If students do not have name tags, write each name on a cue card or small piece of paper
2. On a white board, draw large circles and label them according to the possible numbers of syllables in students' names
a. For example, if the students in your class all have 4 syllables or less in their names, draw 4 circles and label them 1, 2, 3, 4
Implementation:
1. Model the activity
a. Begin by saying "My name is _______," and then clap the syllables in your name
b. Invite students to clap your name with you
c. Ask students "How many syllables did you hear in my name?"
• Model putting your nametag in the correct hoop based on the number of syllables
2. Allow each student a turnHave each student clap and count the syllables in his or her name
a. Support any students who are having difficulty by clapping their name as a class
• As a class, clap back the syllables
• Invite the student place his or her name card in the correct hoop
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Repeat the name and clap out the syllables twice
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- If students are having difficulty, clap their name as a class - While students clap out their own name hold up a finger for every syllable they represent so they can have a concrete visual of the concept of syllables
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Give students the option to share the language their name comes from or count in their first language
Differentiated Instruction:
Get students place two fingers horizontally under their chin so they can feel their chin drop with every syllable
Related References
Source: Adams, M., Foorman, B., Lundberg, I., Beeler, T. (1998). Phonemic Awareness in Young Children. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing.
Evidence: Yopp, H.K. & Yopp, R.H. (2000). Supporting phonemic awareness development in the classroom. The Reading Teacher, 54, 130-143.
Activity Objective
The goal of How Many Beats in Your Name?: Foundations for Phonemic Awareness to help students build an awareness of the sound structure of spoken language by having them clap and count the pulses in their own names.
What You Need
Prep Time:
5 minutes - Gather student name tags and sticky tack. Draw circles to represent the possible numbers of syllables in students' names and label them.
Task Time:
15 minutes - Teacher explains the game - Students clap and then count the beats in their names Students place their name tag in the correct circle
Materials Required:
Teacher: - White board - White board marker - Students' name tags - Adhesive
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Modeling: - while introducing the counting of syllables Facilitator: - during the activity
Student Grouping:
Whole class: - during the introduction, modeling and the activity
Assessment Ideas:
- Anecdotally observe which students are easily able to clap syllables and which have more difficulty - Assess students individually by having them clap the syllables in a word you provide
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- As a class, make a graph that shows the number of students with each number of syllables in their name - Have students' identify the syllables in their name by banging on a tambourine or drum - Provide opportunities for students to clap out syllables for classroom items, high frequency words, family members' names, and so on - Incorporate syllable clapping during read-alouds, poetry readings, singing of songs, morning routines and when reviewing words from the word wall - Teach students to make a Name-Train Poster a. Students identify the syllables of their names and chunk them onto choo-choo train cars b. If the student's name has two syllables, she takes two pre-made train cars and writes one syllable on each car c. Paste the train cars onto a train track poster template d. Students can choose to do their first, middle, and/or last names - Provide students with magnetic letters to play with on the chalkboard a. Get them to spell their name(s) and ask them to chunk them according to syllables b. Have the students identify the syllables in their names
Additional Comments:
- This activity is a phonological awareness activity, which is a precursor to phonemic awareness.
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