I do the same thing, except for the barcode. We have student IDs, which I
keep in my circ book. each id has their name, picture and barcode on it. I
arrange the ids by day of the week, then class (the order the classes come
into the library) and then alphabetical. Each page in my book holds 10 Id
cards. A double page holds 20. I open the page so that all 20 cards for a
class are viewable. I ask the students to point to their picture, and then I
scan the card, look at the computer and say their name. This is important,
because 83% of our school has English as a second language. I may have 6 or
more Juan Martines in my school. It is critical, especially after school,
that I have the right one. This system makes it very easy for subs too. No
thinking involved.
Karen Tukua LMT
Cambridge Elementary
Concord, CA
>From: smm2p <smm2p@MTSU.EDU>
>Reply-To: smm2p <smm2p@MTSU.EDU>
>To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>Subject: HIT: Learning Names Part 2
>Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 08:50:29 -0500
>
>Here are some more ideas ...
>
>Shannon Minner
>smm2p@mtsu.edu
>Murfreesboro, TN
>
>
>Each of my 1st and 2nd graders (and I have 6 sections of each) has a 2 1/2
>x 9
>inch bookmark which doubles as a shelfmarker with their names on. They are
>passed out each class by me until the point of the year came where I felt I
>knew at least half the kids name in each section. After that point, I put
>them
>on a table for them to pick up each class period. We use a Follett
>circ system so each student has an assigned barcode kept in our file, and
>the
>clerk just needs to see the kids' last name in order to check out their
>books.
>I keep them rubberbanded together by class & pop them in an old magazine
>box
>until their next visit. This system really helps me to know names (which
>I'm
>terrible with) and I see a LOT of students each week! Last year was my
>first
>year - I'm hoping that by doing this again another year, I'll know a
>majority
>of their names by next year. I didn't do this with third graders, and I
>know
>fewer kids by name from this grade.
>--------------
>Here's what I've been doing to learn the first names of the incoming fifth
>graders in my 5 - 8 middle school. Each time they come in, I go over their
>first names (using a class list) as I try to imprint the face that goes
>with
>the name in my memory. Then I put down the list and go around the group,
>saying their names, kind of making a game of it and telling them how much
>they
>are helping me. At the end of my story to them, I dismiss them to go choose
>books by calling each one's name. I may have to repeat this each time they
>come for a long time, but eventually I know their names and can continue to
>know them for the four years they're with us.
>---------------
>When I was in my k-2 school and the kids always sat at tables, (there was
>no
>room for sitting on the floor), I made seating charts and simply kept it
>with
>me. I sat on a bar stool (with a back) so that I sat higher than the
>students
>- easier control that way. I also have always checked out the kids' books -
>it
>reinforces the names. The classes in which I have a volunteer check out the
>books are the classes that I haven't learned yet.
>
>Especially in a k-2 school, you can play name games with the kids. I also
>will
>look at a boy and say "oh, you must be Jenny!" He gets all giggly and says,
>"No! I'm Michael!"
>
>I also alphabetize the names in my book that I use for checkout by first
>name,
>because I want to learn the first names - the last names will come and seem
>to
>be somewhat easier to remember - I guess because they are more unique.
>----------------
>The very first day my classes come to the library, I take a group picture
>of
>each class. Then I get with the teacher and fill in the names under each
>person. Then I study, study, study each picture before that particular
>class
>comes in. It has been very helpful for me!
>----------------
>One tip I heard from an old pro was just to learn 4 names a day. Often, the
>teachers will have kids in name tags the first few days of school anyway,
>so
>that helps, and if you keep repeating them they eventually "stick." I'm
>having
>enough trouble just learning the other teachers' names in my new (K-5, 500
>kids) school! Our automation system requires logging in last names to pull
>up
>patron records before checking out books, so I ask each child to spell
>his/her
>last name and then I repeat the first name to him/her to check, and then
>use
>it 2 or 3 times before handing over the checked-out book. We also have to
>eat
>lunch with classes the first couple weeks of school, so I make sure the
>kids
>tell me their names while we're having lunch. Better check to see if your
>school requires uniforms - mine does, and that really puts a wrinkle in it
>-
>you can't tell them apart by clothes!
>-----------------
>Two suggestions - ask teachers to send kids with nametags on the first few
>weeks. Most teachers start the year using them anyway. Also, make class
>rolls
>and call roll each week before you start the lesson. K-2=92s love that.
>When I
>forget to call their names, they always remind me. They like to answer in
>funny ways too so you could come up with a list of ways to answer - colors,
>holiday sayings, book titles, etc. to make it fun for them. I have a carpet
>with colored squares so I ask kids to sit on the same square the first few
>weeks so I can learn names. Be sure to have them raise their hands as they
>answer, not just call out - so you can put faces with names.
>-----------------
>I recommend a picture book Mary Wore A Red Dress by Mary(?) Peek. At the
>end
>of the story, there is a suggestion in the back of the book that I use
>where
>the students sing abou t who is wearing what.
>-----------------
>My new school will be K-5 and one thing I plan on doing with Kindergarten
>(they don't start Media till October) is sending them a class letter the
>week
>before they come in to let them know how glad I am that they will be coming
>into the Media Center, and to ask them if they would make name tags to help
>me
>remember their names. (This is assuming the Kindergarten teacher OK's this
>idea ahead of time). I will have tables for the other grades and plan on
>using
>assigned seating to help me remember who is who.
>-----------------
>I take a copy of our middle school yearbook home with me and learn, or
>re-learn names over the summer. It makes a big difference. At least then I
>only have to learn the new fifth graders names and faces.
>----------------
>I called the roll every time the students came in until I learned their
>names.
>The other thing I did was the school has a yearbook, so I looked over the
>pictures to help me learn the names. If your school doesn't have a
>yearbook,
>they might have class pictures on file, and that would at least help you
>with
>grades 1 & 2.
>
>I think your nametag idea is a good one because it will speed up learning
>the
>names PLUS you'll be able to refer to the students by name every time you
>talk
>to them. I don't know if you've taught before, but being able to correctly
>refer to the children by name really cuts down on discipline problems. I
>think
>it may well be worth the time and trouble to pass the nametags out--you
>probably won't have to do it too many times before you know the names.
>---------------
>Some possibilities...do the diecut necklace thing, but have the TEACHER
>keep
>them and hand them out before the kids come each time, or get stick-on name
>labels and have the kids stick them on their shirts. The kids could write
>1st
>names. You could print out labels with just names, first and last in block
>letters, though writing the names by hand would process the information
>more
>for you and start the learning process. Seating charts can also work,
>though
>it's difficult with no tables. Some computer checkout programs have the
>capability to input kids' school pictures in.
>---------------
>Visit them in their rooms where they often have names on their desk.
>Secretaries often have extra photos for school records. These have names
>on
>the edge.
>---------------
>I have a friend who is the librarian in a K-6 school with a population of
>about 650. Her library is automated. She has begged paint stirrers from
>every paint store in town. She writes the student's name (and last initial
>if
>necessary) and the student's code number on the "stir" end. She keeps them
>bundled by class. Before the class arrives, she pulls the sticks for
>students
>who have not returned their books. She calls out their names from the
>sticks,
>a few at a time. The students also use these sticks to mark the place in a
>shelf where they have removed a book. If they want a different book, they
>know where to return it. If they want that book, they pull their stick
>from
>the shelf and bring it and the book to the desk for check out.
> I have subbed for her on several occasions and this helps when you
>don't
>know their names. It's fun when the Kindergarteners are learning how to
>spell
>their names. She just holds their sticks up and they come to get them when
>they recognize their name.
> When a class promotes out of the school, she recycles the sticks by
>putting mailing labels over the old name.
>-----------------
>In the past, I have taken pictures of each class at the beginning of
>school. I
>then write the names of each student underneath the picture. I study each
>picture to learn their names, and I review the class photo before they come
>to
>the library. It works well with a digital camera because you don't have to
>pay
>for developing, it is quick, and there is space on the page to write names.
>----------------
>
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