This book is perfect for helping children recognize their names and create friendships. You will need a photograph of each child, construction paper, book rings, and markers. Glue each child’s photo on a page. Write “Hello, (child’s name).” at the top of the page. Punch holes in the pages and put them together with book rings. (If you bind the book on the bottom it will be easy to turn the pages as you hold it in your lap.)
Use the book in the following ways:
* Circle or Group Time: Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.
* Questions: Use the book when you want to ask the class questions. Randomly turn to a page and call on that child to answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.
* Transitions: Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, and other transitions. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed, line up, and so on.
Use the book in the following ways:
* Circle or Group Time: Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.
* Questions: Use the book when you want to ask the class questions. Randomly turn to a page and call on that child to answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.
* Transitions: Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, and other transitions. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed, line up, and so on.
* Sing and read this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
We're glad you're in our room.
Kiss Your Brain
Make a book with “Kiss your brain, (child's name).”
Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:
(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!
Who Do You See?
We all know wonderful Bill Martin’s “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?” Your children will love saying and “reading” this version with you. Put each child’s photo on a page with this chant at the top:
(Child’s name), (child’s name), who do you see?
On the bottom of the page write:
I see (second child’s) name looking at me.
On the last add the teacher’s photo with this rhyme:
Children, children, who do you see?
I see (teacher’s name) looking at me.
(Teacher’s name), (teacher’s name), who do you see?
I see happy children ready to learn with me!
*Make two copies of this book so one child can take it home each day to share with their families.
*Introduce children to school helpers with a similar book with the principal, secretary, custodian, dietician, PE teacher, music teacher, and other specialists.
That's My Sound
You will need a photograph (or self-portrait) for each child. Glue each child’s photo on a piece of paper. Write the uppercase and lowercase letter that the child’s name begins with on either side of his picture. Glue a copy of the words to the song below to the bottom of the page. Sing and read to the tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?”
*Add a picture of the manual sign for each letter.
Teacher: N is for Natalie.
Children: N is for Natalie.
Teacher: /n/ /n/ /n/
Children: /n/ /n/ /n/
Teacher: Natalie starts with N.
Children: Natalie starts with N.
Teacher: /n/ /n/ /n/
Children: /n/ /n/ /n/
*Start your day by reading and singing the song. Invite the children to name other words that begin with the same sound.
*Add a picture of the manual sign for each letter.
Teacher: N is for Natalie.
Children: N is for Natalie.
Teacher: /n/ /n/ /n/
Children: /n/ /n/ /n/
Teacher: Natalie starts with N.
Children: Natalie starts with N.
Teacher: /n/ /n/ /n/
Children: /n/ /n/ /n/
*Start your day by reading and singing the song. Invite the children to name other words that begin with the same sound.
Class Yellow Pages
Tear off the front and back of your “Yellow Pages” to use for the outside of this book. Make inside pages for the book that say, “We are good readers.” “We can help you with the computer.” “We can tie shoes.” “We are good spellers.” “We like to draw.” “We are mathematicians.” “We like to clean.” (Include pages that represent the different multiple intelligences, as well as common tasks in the classroom.) Encourage children to sign up on the pages where they can help others. When someone comes to you for help, remind them to look in the “Class Yellow Pages.”
*For younger children, make a class phone book with their photos and phone numbers. (Make up a number if they have an unlisted number.) Place this by a play phone or an old cell phone so they can practice numeral recognition as they call friends.
