Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Write all students' names on strips of paper in clear block writing. You may use existing name tags or name cards.
2. Tack each name to the board.

Implementation:

1. Tell the students that they are about to play the Name Game!
2. Show the students the list of all of the names of the students in the class.
3. Explain that they will be given clues about one of the names on the list and that they are going to have to guess which name it is.
4. Give the two clues for a name.
   1. Identify the initial sound in the name.
      • “I’m thinking of a name that begins with the ___ sound.”
   2. Identify the number of syllables in the name.
      • “When I clap it out, it has ___ syllables,” and clap the number of syllables as you say the number.
   3. If your clues could identify more than one student, you can add a third clue, such as their gender or another identifying feature.
5. Ask the students to identify whose name it is by pointing to it on the list.
   1. Once the student has selected the correct name, remove it from the board.
6. Repeat steps 4 to 6 with a few of the other names.

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Repeat the clues once the name has been selected to reinforce how to identify the sound and segment it into syllables

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Provide short and simple instructions
- Underline the initial letter in the name to help draw student's attention to it when selecting the name from the list

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Be sensitive to names that have irregular spellings for the initial sound

Differentiated Instruction:

- Allow students who have difficulties to work with a partner to identify the name

Related References

Evidence:
Elizabeth, K. W. & Clark, P. (2005). Beginning with names: Using children's names to facilitate early literacy learning. Childhood Education, 81, 139-145.