The Easiest Way to Remember Student Names…

How many times have you wanted to call on a student, only to remember you'd forgotten their name? You mean well, but for the life of you, the student’s name has totally slipped your mind. As a former middle school elective teacher, I averaged about 180 students every year. Luckily for me, my school is really small. For others, that number can be as high as 500 or more for larger middle schools.

The easiest way for me to remember students’ names was to have them create name tags(name tents). They are super fun for students to decorate and quickly help you remember their names while building relationships with them. 

I had my students keep them out for at least the first two months. They usually take a class period to decorate them. They can create their own style or use these editable templates. You can use something sturdy like Astrobrights Cardstock to print them on to ensure they last. 

Either way, it helps me remember their names quickly and build a better relationship with them. What the students write on their tents is what I remember. For example, whenever a student is a Florida State Seminole or Tampa Bay Rays fan, I remember their name in no time. Likewise, for my opponents, such as the Florida Gators or the New York Yankees. I use their goals, sports, movies, foods, vacation destinations, or just about anything to help me connect with my students. Students like to know they have something in common with their teacher. I think it will allow them to let their guards down and make learning easier for them.

Do you have any tips for quickly remembering your student’s name?

Happy Teaching!