Saturday, August 13, 2016

NAME ON YOUR PAPER - FIRST THING!

Long ago a veteran teacher gave me some good advice about starting the school year. She said, "GO SLOW!" Take your time and teach children the correct procedures and you'll be set for the rest of the year.

It will be so much easier to teach children routines (like putting their name on their paper) with a song.
                                      
Name on Your Paper  (Tune:  "Shine and a hair cut - two bits")
Name on your paper ~ first thing!
Name on your paper ~ first thing!
Where does it go?
At the top.
Where does it go?
At the top.
Name on your paper~ first thing!
Name on your paper~ first thing!

*Add a verse that says, "Date on your paper - second thing!"

Here's another song to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It" to remind children to write their name.

Put your name on your paper first thing.
Put your name on your paper first thing.
Your teacher needs to know who did the work and so
Put your name on your paper first thing.

Secret Code
Each day give your students a "secret code" to put on their work. Write it on the board and explain that it's the date. For example, the secret code for today would be 8-13-16.


Name Notes
Here's a great idea for class note cards.  Give each child a 4" square and ask them to draw their picture and write their name.  Reduce the size and glue to half a sheet of paper or around a full sheet as shown.  Make many, many copies and use for notes to parents or place in the writing center for the children to use.