Getting to Know You

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Students will introduce themselves using an alliterative descriptor. They will begin building a nurturing learning community.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Follow multi-step directions for preparing applications and completing forms.
2. Demonstrate speaking in front of an audience using appropriate eye contact and voice level.
3. Be able to recall the names of all his/her fellow classmates.

MATERIALS

1. Interest Inventory
2. Letter to Parents

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Copy a class set of each of the above handouts.
2. Arrange your classroom so that all your students can form one circle.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Interest Inventory (PDF)
   
2. Letter to Parents (PDF)
   

DIRECTIONS

Find a creative way to distribute the Interest Inventory. Greet the students at the door, introduce yourself, hand each an inventory, and express your desire to read their individual answers. Another option would be to place one inventory on each student's desk, then as you greet each at the door invite him/her to complete the inventory for you.

PART I

Step 1: When students arrive to class, have them jump right into completing the Interest Inventory without delay. This is a strategic classroom management concept that will minimize disruption and encourage the launch of instruction.

Step 2: After providing enough time for your students to complete the inventory, invite each to turn it in or take it home to complete it later. Some students will want to share more information with you. By encouraging that, you will help make them comfortable in your class. Be sure to give a deadline for when you need the paper returned to further the idea that you are interested in the information it contains.

Step 3: Proceed to explaining the goals of the class and completing your own introduction.

PART II

Step 4: Invite the students to stand in a circle facing inward.

Step 5: Explain that the students are going to introduce themselves to the group. Tell the students to think of one adjective that describes them that starts with the same sound as the beginning sound of their first name, or alliteration. For example: Jubilant Jennifer, Crazy Candice, or Kind Cathy.

Step 6: Start by introducing yourself the same way, as a model, using either your first or last name.

Step 7: Proceed around the circle in one direction to each student. The catch is that the introductions are cumulative, meaning that the first student has to introduce you first ("Polite Mr. Price") then himself/herself ("Bashful Brenda.") The second student introduces you, the first student then herself ("Polite Mr. Price, Bashful Brenda, and I'm Loyal Lola.")

Step 8: By the end of the round, after the last student has introduced himself/herself, finish by making eye contact with each student in the circle as you say his/her name. This will not only help you learn your students' names faster, but you will now know how each student thinks of himself/herself.

Step 9: Conclude the lesson by distributing the first homework assignment, which is for the parents. (The kids will love that!) Explain to the students that each parent is invited to complete the form on the Parent Letter as you invited them to complete the inventory.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS

• If a student struggles with handwriting, allow him/her to type answers to the inventory on the computer.
• If a student does not speak fluent English, before the introduction game, have him/her write their name on a piece of paper and draw something that represents them. The student can share the drawing when it is their time in the circle.
• If a parent/guardian does not speak English, ask the student to help the parent or guardian come up with three goals for the school year or any other information they wish to share with you.

ASSESS STUDENTS

Play the game one more time at the beginning of the next class period. Discuss with the students why some names are easily recalled while others are not. Ask the students what this implies about learning, and lead them to the conclusion that repetition makes learning "stick."

ASSIGNMENTS

1. The students will take the parent/guardian letter home and return it the next day completed, if possible.
2. If the Interest Inventory was not completed in class, the student should finish it at home and return it to school as soon as possible.

HOME CONNECTION

The students will take the parent/guardian letter home and return it the next day completed, if possible.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

Observe the students as each enters your classroom the following day.

• Do they interact more than before?
• Are they calling out each other's names?
• Are you able to call out each student's name?

If so, then the lesson was successful.

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