Knowing Your Students' Names: October's Stepping Stones

For many art teachers, we see an entire school (or multiple schools), which could be anywhere from 500-1000 students in one week.  The joy of our position is seeing all of those students growing and maturing each year.  The trick is getting all those names to your memory!

It takes almost half a year for me to start remembering names to those faces. With all the pronunciations, the families, the transfer-ins, and the short time you see the students every week, it gets tricky.

It’s actually very important to try and memorize all those names and faces because a child’s name helps you to connect to that student in your classroom.  When a child’s identity is recognized, they self-esteem improves and they are more receptive to your instructions.  

In my article, I share a few tricks I've used over the years to start implanting those names to memory.

1.     If you have a classroom, create your seating charts in advance.  

2.     If you travel or push a cart, request a copy of the seating charts from the homeroom teachers.  This may not work in every case since seating arrangements can change drastically from week to week, but it’s a start.  In the school I travel to, the homeroom teachers received magnetic charts that were erasable and easy to read.  If there was a day I pushed the cart into the room and seating was rearranged, I was able to view the magnetic chart right away and find those faces.

3.     Use those nametags! Do the students have nametags on their desks?  Memorize them! Walk around during project time when you can and start acknowledging their work. 

4.     Test your name knowledge.  Randomly throughout the year, I call the students to line up by name instead of tables.  If there are a few students with names I can’t remember, I work harder to know them better the next time I see them.   Even if you can’t remember their names right away, the kids can see your effort in trying to get to know them.

To view the full article please visit October's Arts & Activities: Stepping Stones.

There's also another tip offered by The Art of Education!  

Jessica also offers more tips on her own site!  Click to view her article titled, "How to Remember Student Names."

Young Creative Minds: Introducing Kindergarteners to the Art Room

While my child was in preschool, I loved everything she brought home and how excited she was to see her teachers and friends.  She was in a small class with plenty of attention, so I didn't worry about how she would be in kindergarten..  It wasn't until she entered the public school system when something hit me.

I am now that parent.  You know the one who cries as their child climbs the steps of the bus?  Yeah, that was me.  My daughter is also going through major changes: being a big sister, going to a new school, meeting new friends, and having a new schedule all within a month time.  She is one of many kindergarteners going through the same thing.

Being in a new school is scary.  For the kindergartener, they're thrust into this big building away from home and in a class where they compete for attention among 20-40 other children their age.  It's no wonder anxiety is high with many of these students.

Being in a new school can also be exciting too.  In the first few weeks, students are soaking up all the "newness" of the year; new classroom, new projects, and new friends.  On top of dealing with anxious students, you're also dealing with the excited ones.

When you first get the kindergarten class, you will have a mixture of whole new personalities and a number of new names to memorize.  You will get criers, talkers, bouncers (you know...the ones that can't sit still), and shy ones.

In the beginning of the year, try some ways to make your kindergarteners comfortable in the art room.  There are plenty of tricks to try out and it depends on what works for you.

Trick #1: Do you have a space for a "circle time" or reading time?  Start off your class in a small group instead of seating them in their chairs right away.  I noticed when gathering the students in a small space, they focused more on what I was saying instead of what was around the room.  I also have a small easel drawing board for demonstrations and identification activities.

If you are on a cart, check with the teacher beforehand to find out if there is a designated reading area in the classroom.

Trick #2: Start off with a story.  For my kindergartener's first class, I start off with reading Caldecott Book Winner "Olivia" by Ian Falconer.  I use that book to explain how Olivia uses her imagination, and how in art, we use our imaginations in everything we make.  You can find your own book to use as an icebreaker to welcome your students!

Trick #3: Start off with a tour. Before sitting the students down in their seats, lead them into the room in a line.  Walk them around the room and point out things they should know (ex. this is the sink...this is the drying rack...etc.).   Identifying the space will help students to know what's in the new room and where they can go during class time.  This may not always work since some students may want to wander around the moment they walk in.

If you are on a cart, it's obvious you do not need to give a tour.  Instead of walking students around the room, try an identification game to make students familiar with materials used to make art (example: a pencil is used to draw, a paintbrush is used to make paintings, etc.)

Trick #4: Play a scavenger hunt.  Starting off with the rules is always key, but what if you made a game out of it?  Create a hunt using images to look for and have students circle what they find.  When the students are done, have them sit in a spot to share what they have found.

If you are on a cart, you can still have a scavenger hunt, but change your hunt to objects that would be in the general classroom that you can use for art projects, like pencils, erasers, paper clips, etc.

Once you have your students warmed up to you and your room, start going over your classroom rules and procedures so students know your expectations.

I wish everyone good luck in the beginning of the school year, and I hope all goes well with everything!

What tricks do you have to welcome kindergarteners to art?