- name cards
MA Standards:
Speaking and Listening: SL.PK.MA.1a Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (e.g., taking turns in talking, listening to peers, waiting to speak until another person is finished talking, asking questions and waiting for an answer, gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
Foundational Skills/ RF.PK.MA.3.c: Recognize one’s own name and familiar common signs and labels (e.g., STOP).
Head Start Outcomes:
Social Emotional Development/Self-Regulation: Follows simple rules, routines, and directions.
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 1: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (taking turns in talking; listening to peers; waiting until someone is finished; asking questions and waiting for an answer; gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 12: Listen to, recite, sing, and dramatize a variety of age-appropriate literature.
Literacy Knowledge/Print Concepts and Conventions: Recognizes print in everyday life, such as numbers, letters, one’s name, words, and familiar logos and signs.
Greeting Song: “Will You Meet a Friend of Mine?” #2
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Follow Directions, Phonological Awareness, Speaking and Listening
Have children stand in a circle. Explain that today you will sing them the song “Will You Meet a Friend of Mine?” again. Say, But this time when I sing, I will hold up a name card. If I hold up your name card, step into the circle. Say your name and then everyone will say, "Hi, <child’s name>!"
Model the procedure if necessary. Sing the song and show a name card at random. Have that child go into the circle and say his or her name. Tell the rest of the class to say “Hi, <child’s name>.” Continue until each child has been recognized and greeted. Invite children to sing along with you.
Will You Meet a Friend of Mine?
(sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Will you meet a friend of mine?
Friend of mine?
Friend of mine?
Will you meet a friend of mine?
This is my friend <child’s name>.
Hi, <child’s name>! (children greet child)
Adaptation: For children struggling with their letters, place matching stickers on their name cards and next to their names on the name chart. Have children find the stickers that match the name cards and then point to their names.
Adaptation: For groups with children of varying ages, you may want to challenge older children by spelling out their names. For example, say, I have a card with H-e-c-t-o-r on it. Whose name is spelled H-e-c-t-o-r?
Social Emotional Tip: Beginning the day with a name song helps children gain self-recognition and self-importance as they begin to feel they are an important part of the group.