NAME BADGES

I was cleaning off my desk this morning and found a name badge from a conference I recently attended.  You’ve probably got one yourself in a drawer.  You can also purchase these at an office supply store.  Here are some interesting ways to recycle those old name badges in your classroom this year!

Skills - Choose skills you are working on (letters, words, numerals, colors, shapes, etc.) and wear them in the name badge. Sing this song to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know it:”

                                    If you can read this word, letter, shout it out. 

                                    If you can read this ______, whisper it out.

                                    If you can read this ______, spell it out.

                                    If you can read this ______, shout it out.

                        Here’s another chant to reinforce skills:

                                    I know color, numeral.  Yes, I do.

                                    I know _____.  How about you?

                                    Children repeat:

                                    We know ______.  Yes, we do.

                                    We know ______.  Just like you!

Special Event -  When a child has a special event in their life, make a badge for them to wear.  For example:  “I’m a new big brother.”   “I scored a goal at my soccer name.”  

Hint!  Encourage faculty members to recognize these badges.

Ask Me About - To celebrate a skill (writing their name, recognizing all the letters, reading sight words) a child has achieved, write “Ask me about skill” on the badge.  For example:  “Ask me about counting to l00.”  “Ask me about writing my name."


When children show proficiency in addition, make a badge that says, “Name has earned a B.A. (Best in Addition).” For subtraction write, “Name has earned an M.S. (Master in Subtraction.)"

If you are doing a unit of study, individualize instruction by allowing children to choose a topic they are interested in.  After doing “research,” they write their area of "expertise" and wear it in their name badge.  Children walk around the room and ask each other questions.

*Use this idea for book reports.  

*At the beginning of the school year, make “expert” name badges so children can get to know each other.


Here is a comment from Ms. Jessi:

Perfect ideas! I've used them on field trips by putting my business card in it. :)

MrsDugginsDoodlebugs wrote:

I LOVE these ideas - I use them a "Center Captain" badges too. My captain of the day (for each group) get's to wear this badge and boy do they feel special!